"Kids Art"

In an article entitled "Kids Art" by Anne Graham (from Parents magazine, February 1985), she talks about the developmental stages of art as well as some "Tips for Parents."

Developmental Stages of Art

There are four developmental stages to children’s art: scribbling; basic shapes; "tadpoles" and combining forms. Scribbling is an important stage because the child learned quickly that his marks can ‘stand for something.’ One researcher, Thonda Kellogg has identified 20 kinds of scribbles that develop across all cultures regardless of whether or not a child has access to markers and crayons. Parents should value their child’s scribbles.
In stage two, basic shapes develop which indicate increased muscle control and improving eye-hand coordination.
The tadpole stage is where people are drawn as a circle with sticks for arms and legs. The child draws what he/she feels rather than what he/she sees. The child knows his drawing is symbolic. He’ll/she’ll add detail like the torso, sky, and ground later.
In stage four, the artwork continues to be refined. Suns or mandala appear and houses with a square and rectangle-shaped roof start to appear.

Tips for Parents

Whatever position one takes regarding adult involvement in children’s art-making there are basic ways in which all parents can encourage artistic growth and development.

1. Look at the child’s drawing. Knowing something about developmental stages in children’s art will help the parent to understand and appreciate the child’s growth.
2. Make specific comments and ask questions about the child’s art. While it’s acceptable to say "It’s beautiful" (if you mean it), you might sometimes say, "Looks like you enjoyed trying out all those colors"; or "Was it hard to make all those little dots?"
3. Display the child’s art. Seeing his work in his home or over his parent’s desk at work is important to the child. A particularly handsome work might be matted and framed.
4. Provide safe art materials and a place for the child to work.
5. Provide an opportunity for the child to see fine art, rather than just commercial illustrations.
6. Keep a collection of child’s art. It will be a source of pleasure and delight, not only for the child in later years but for the parent. Drawings provide a unique, tangible record of the child’s growth and development.

(from Parents magazine, February 1985)