Drawing developmental stages

Each child will go through stages in their creative development including their drawing which show certain characteristics specific to each stage.

In order for a child to able to progress through the various stages of drawing a child must have developed their grip.

Grip development is instrumental in a child’s drawing stage. It is intrinsically linked.

A child develops from the inside out; from the core of the body to the outer of the body.

This is called proximodistal development. This influences the stages of development including grip development which in turn influences a child’s drawing stages.

This growth pattern in young children sees gross motor development, such as waving develop before fine motor skills such as grip development.

A child needs to have developed the muscles in their hands in order to be able to hold a pencil correctly.

The strength and development of their muscles required to hold a pencil are embedded in play.

The holding of a paint brush, the manipulating the play dough, the using the trigger in a spray, building with the blocks, threading. All these, and many more play based experiences assist to build the muscles required for a child to be able to learn to hold a pencil correctly. These experiences will lay the foundations for good pencil grasp.

For more information regarding grip development https://www.seriouslykids.com.au/grip-development/

Stage 1: Scribbling stage: 2- 4 years

This is made up of sub stages as the child grows and develops.

18 months – 3 Years- Non- representational/scribbling stage:

• Explores media through all their senses
• Makes random marks
• The scribbling begins
• They are aware of marks they make

3 Years- Non- representational/scribbling stage:

• Explores and manipulates materials more
• Scribbles are more controlled
• May cover more of the paper

3-4 Years- Non- representational/scribbling stage:

• Scribbling continues
• Perceives shape in their own work
• Attempts to make shapes
• Will name and identify their scribbles

Stage 2: Pre-schematic: 4- 6 years (the Emerging representational stage)

During this stage the schema (the visual idea) is developed. The drawings show what the child perceives as most important about the subject using symbols and familiar objects within their drawing.

• Will combine 2 shapes (often a circle and a cross)
• Draws such objects as the ‘sun’
• Draws a human- more like a tadpole- circle with stick arms and legs

Stage 3: Schematic: 6-9 years ( the Representational stage)

This stage is easily recognized by the demonstrated awareness of the concept of space, colours, up and down, top and bottom. Objects in the drawing have a relationship and purpose.

• Clearly resembles whatever is supposed to represent
• They will begin planning and the inclusion of details will be clear
• They will begin to evaluate their work