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As infants we begin to draw before we learn to write. In fact, one could argue that writing is just a special form of drawing. Although we all experienced great joy and satisfaction when we engaged in mark-making as youngsters, for many of us the psychological benefits of drawing soon dissipated as we learned that in our culture drawings are suppose to look 'realistic' and that those which don't are viewed as little more than "scribbles."

Drawing can serve as a powerful means for developing children's perception and thought; and, yet, few adults view drawing as a skill that can be improved through practice and instruction. Rather, there is a common misconception that the ability to draw is more a "gift" or a talent than it is a basic human necessity. Moreover, since many classroom teachers feel that they "can't draw" themselves, surely they can't be expected to teach drawing to children. Given the lack of encouragement from adults in this area, it is not surprising that many children stop drawing around the age of eight or so.

Drawing is not just a medium or a technique: it is a human activity with a rich and complicated history.

Drawing encounters may take several different forms in the elementary classroom including the making of sketches, diagrams, cluster maps, visual studies, and drawings that are completed art works. In broad terms, very young children who are in the scribbling stage should be allowed to work with various drawing tools and materials often enough to develop sufficient skill in handling the media. When children start to develop and use symbols in their drawing, instruction should focus on personal expression of various narrative themes that relate directly to children's experiences and lives. As children begin to express a concern for "realism" in their drawings, they should be encouraged to expand their drawing vocabularies by working from both observation and their own imaginations.

The following suggestions for drawing encounters are divided into two groups: first, those which encourage observation and recollection; and, second, those which encourage creative expression of ideas and feelings. Children should be given opportunities to engage in both throughout their elementary school years.

Goal: To encourage children to perceive and to describe their world in more detail.

• Do contour drawings of a model or object displayed in the classroom that show the subject from three different views.
• Take an object apart and then draw it.
• Draw from bug collections or still-life displays set up in the classroom.
• Examine an object for one minute. Put the object away. Then draw a picture of what you remember about it.
• Use a magnifying glass to draw enlarged views of water drops, hair, plant leaves, etc.,
• Show someone how to do something in a sequence of drawn pictures.
• Draw yourself by looking in a mirror.
• Draw a map showing your route from home to school. Include local landmarks.
• Draw a family member from memory.
• Draw your favorite hero.

These 4th graders filled pages of their sketchbooks with drawings of objects placed before them. Here the challenge was todraw animal skulls.

Goal: To encourage children to use imagination in expressing their observations, ideas and feelings through drawing.

• Draw a picture showing how you would improve human beings.
• Design a special machine or device to help the President.
• Draw a picture that shows how you would weigh an elephant.
• Design a machine that makes peanut butter.
• Draw a picture of a jellybean factory.
• Design an underground city.
• Design a dog-exercising machine.
• Draw a picture that shows how you would make your school a better place.
• Draw as many animals as you can on one page.
• Draw a map for a brain surgeon. A heart surgeon.
• Draw a picture of something that can't be seen.
• Draw a picture of an angry sea or a noisy city. The lines you make should help to express the mood of your picture.
• Complete and then illustrate one of the following statements:

  "If only I could..."
  "What if..."
  "Wouldn't it be strange if..."
  

Monart

Teaching Drawing Skills

Drawing and Designing (UK guidelines)

Helping Children Learn How to Learn How to Draw

Drawing in One-Point Perspective

Also in the @rtroom, check out:

Keeping Sketchbooks

@rt sparkers