Each week in Karri Kindergarten (on Wednesday), we sit down together after morning circle to draw pictures.  The natural beeswax 'block' crayons we draw with are in the vibrant colours of the rainbow, and have three different 'sides' that can be used (known as Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear).  The children are encouraged to fill the whole page with colour, and we always draw on both sides of the paper (making good use of resources), completing one drawing before moving onto another.  On birthday celebrations we also draw a special picture for the birthday child to create a 'book' of class drawings.  The teacher and assistant draw too, endeavouring to provide a model for simple, child-like drawings with archetypal motifs ( as mentioned below).

Researchers have observed that the development of drawing follows recognisable patterns that mirrors the growth and development of the child.  These patterns are the same the world over, irrespective of ethnicity or birthplace.  The archetypal house is drawn as a square with a triangular roof and windows, no matter what the child’s dwelling is!

Beginning with circular scribbles that spiral inwards and reflect the incarnation of the little child into their physical body (when the child is first able to grasp a writing implement), they move on to linear scribbles and then an upright cross showing the child standing upright on the earth.

Between 3 and 5 years of age the child draws a circle which is joined up and then a centre is added when the child experiences him or herself as a separate being.  At around 5 years of age the structural changes occurring in the child’s growing body start to appear in drawings.  For example a 'ladder-man' (with a ladder for a body and a head on top) reflects the formation of the spinal column and rib cage.  The house is a common motif in drawings and the shape and composition of the house changes as the child becomes more oriented with the earth.

Another motif commonly drawn by kindergarten children is the rainbow, a soul motif which for the child represents the reality of the heavenly sphere.

Between six and seven years of age pictures mature, the sky touches the earth, the house stands back from the foreground, fences appear and a tree and a person stand on each side of the house.  The sun shines down from the right (prior to this it is usually drawn on the left of the picture).  Other common motifs are curtains at the windows, smoke coming from the chimney, a pond with ducks, an empty swing hanging from a tree, rider on a horse and a rainbow shining above.  These are all archetypal motifs for this age group.

A good reference if you’d like to learn more about what your child’s drawings indicate is "Understanding Children’s Drawings", by Michaela Strauss.

Warm wishes,

Denise