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4 Year Old M/W/F Class - Drawing - A Child’s Communication and Development

I’ve noticed many of the children race to the art/material table after the morning welcome circle, and I wonder what attracts them to this space. Could it be the inviting materials? Or maybe because, having just experienced self-expression during circle time, the children need to expand and illustrate their thoughts and ideas further?

Drawing is known as the “silent language.” When children begin to draw and paint, they begin an intellectual journey. Drawing also symbolizes what children know and feel, and is essential for those who have limited verbal skills. Cognitively, drawing provides children with rich ways of thinking, knowing and expressing their worlds. It affectively visualizes emotions a child may not be ready to verbally express. Drawing is a key component to a child’s development in the early years.


       
Jack is making some scribbles. This allows Jack to enjoy and express emotions with the many colors he uses. 


Sofie draws a picture of her mom with many added details, including expression and hair style. 

 
Sofie draws a baby, expanding and expressing her creativity through art.
 

Self-identifying…. Mia  draws a picture of herself with the beautiful curly hair she has. 


Taya draws a self-portrait showing her ponytail. Although she has a short ponytail, she imagines herself with a long ponytail.
 

 
Lily has short wavy hair in her picture. She has expressed herself with dark brown eyes, and a smile  reflecting her emotion!



 In Emma's drawing, her thoughts are self-expressing her favorite character, Elsa!



Tiffany draws a blue sky with the sun. Looking closely at her picture, I can see she has dark clouds above the blue sky. This signifies how she sees the sky and clouds together.

 

Taya paints a picture of a flower that is placed close to her for inspiration. Taya is able to add her own understanding and detail by painting the roots of the flower. 

 

 
 

The inspirational flower. 

 
Sofie draws a picture of a princess, carefully adding details to the dresses’ sleeves, she says, “the princesses are wearing their long hair up like I do when I have a dress on.”  
 

Taylor has a creative idea -  adding a border with pom-poms to her drawing of flowers on the Magna Doodle.
 


Chelsea says “I have painted a rainbow flower.”
 
 

  Sofie illustrates a story. In her picture she says, "this is a evil witch is using her power over the monster.” Sofie identifies the witch as evil by using the color black. She also adds facial expressions in her drawing of the witch. Visual language is demonstrated in her drawings.

 

Each one of these cards is an expression of oneself. Whether they are scribbles, lines or a person, the children are sharing a story. This artwork demonstrates an illustration of themselves, and how the children make meaning of the world around them.

Until next post!
 
~Jess 

 

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