Which Benefits Children More?
Should parents draw beautiful and detailed pictures to teach their children how to draw?
The answer is no. A parentโs role in teaching drawing is not to create art for the child but to inspire and nurture creativity by providing freedom and encouragement.
Many parents draw beautiful, detailed pictures for their young children. Over time, the child begins to rely on the parent to draw for them instead of trying it themselves. Later, when the parent encourages the child to draw or tries to teach them how, the childโdespite loving their parentโs drawingsโoften shows no interest in drawing independently.
Why does this happen?
Whatโs Going On?
Drawing is a developmental skill that takes time and practice, just like walking or climbing stairs. It typically begins around 15 months of age when the child first grasps a crayon and makes marks on paper, and continues to develop through age five.
If parents create polished drawings during this time, children quickly realize their own drawings arenโt as โgoodโ and feel discouraged. This weakens their internal motivation to create and takes away a valuable learning opportunity.
When parents try to teach drawing without understanding the developmental stages of this skill, it becomes even more challengingโand children may stop drawing altogether.
Drawing: A Window into a Childโs Mind
For a child, drawing is not just a fun activityโitโs self-expression. It gives them a way to share their thoughts, emotions, and imagination. It also builds self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Thatโs why itโs important to avoid drawing for them. If you do draw, make it childlikeโnot โbetterโ than theirs. Provide a variety of tools, let them choose what to draw, and encourage them to talk about their artwork or tell a story about it.
Even if their tree looks nothing like a real tree or the sun is purple, support their effort. Donโt correct their colors or proportions. For example, avoid saying “The sun should be yellow” or “Trees are green.” Instead, help your child feel proud and joyful about their creation.
Over time, this strengthens their confidence and desire to draw more, and youโll be amazed at the new ideas that show up on paper every day.
The Five Stages of Drawing Development in Preschool Children
These stages reflect the natural growth of a childโs motor, cognitive, and creative abilities. Understanding them helps parents and educators support children with patience and appropriate expectations.
Stage 1: Random Scribbling (15 months to 2.5 years)
- The child holds a crayon or marker and scribbles randomly on the paper.
- These marks are not intentional or shaped.
- The joy comes from the movement and seeing the effect on the paperโnot from creating an image.
Why it matters:
- Itโs the first step in developing hand-eye coordination.
- The child realizes they can leave a markโfeeling control and agency.
Parentโs role:
- Offer thick crayons and large paper.
- Encourage freely, donโt direct or correct.
Stage 2: Controlled Scribbles (2 to 3 years)
- The child gains better control of their movements.
- They start to see the link between hand motion and the marks on the paper.
- They may say things like, โThis is the sunโ or โThatโs mommy,โ even if itโs not visually clear.
Why it matters:
- This shows early symbolic thinkingโusing images to represent something.
- Imagination and language skills grow during this stage.
Parentโs role:
- Ask open-ended questions: โWhat did you draw?โ
- Let them describe their artwork without judgment.
Stage 3: Basic Shapes and Imitation (2.5 to 3.5 years)
- Vertical and horizontal lines appear, along with circles.
- Children begin imitating simple forms, like drawing the sun with a circle and lines.
- Movements are more intentional, with greater coordination.
Why it matters:
- Foundations for geometric shapes and even letters are forming.
- They start recognizing visual patterns and structure.
Parentโs role:
- Provide tools and materials, but avoid showing them how to draw things.
- Support exploration over instruction.
Stage 4: Objects and Human Figures (3 to 5 years)
- The child starts drawing familiar objects like houses, trees, or people.
- Early human figures appear (often a head with arms and legs sticking out).
- Shapes like squares and rectangles are used more often.
Why it matters:
- The child now uses drawing to tell visual stories and express their inner world.
- Symbolic thinking and narrative skills grow.
Parentโs role:
- Avoid correcting their drawing.
- Ask about the emotions or stories behind the picture: โIs this person happy or sad?โ
Stage 5: Detailed People and Writing (4.5 to 6 years)
- Human figures have more detailโlike body parts, clothing, or facial features.
- The child begins writing letters, words, or even their name.
- Spatial awareness improves, and they care more about sizes and relationships.
Why it matters:
- Drawings become a clearer reflection of thoughts and experiences.
- This stage helps prepare the child for writing and academic learning.
Parentโs role:
- Celebrate and display their artwork at home.
- Encourage creative storytelling and free drawing.
Conclusion
Drawing is not something we do for a childโitโs something we do with them.
By offering encouragement, space, and respect for their imagination, youโll not only help develop their drawing skills, but also nurture a creative, confident, and independent thinker. Every child develops at their own pace, and your most powerful tool is to simply support and believe in their process.
Connect With SBEC Today; Letโs Help Your Child Thrive
๐ Call us at (949) 259-8786
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