Inspiration, Parents/Teachers

Respecting Children’s Drawings

Children have tremendous respect for drawing. They are in awe of anyone who draws a picture for them. For example, they’ll pay close attention when cartoons are sketched on a place mat at a restaurant. Children are equally impressed with simple drawings as they are with renderings of an accomplished artist. But do children get the same respect paid for drawings they make?

When a child hands you a drawing, they are sharing important information with you. They may be excited with their accomplishment of drawing simple lines and shapes. Or, with what appear to be random scribbles, they may be expressing an important event taking place in their mind—real or imagined.

Sharing drawings is an excellent way to open a vital channel of communication. Spend a few minutes to read the drawing being presented. Ask your child to tell you about what’s going on in their masterpiece.

Your young artist has taken time to share a snapshot from the inner workings of their mind. If you accept it with genuine interest, you’ll be sharing ideas and information at the deepest levels of trust. You’ll learn about the importance of drawing as you help children to improve their artwork. You may even rediscover your own childhood thrill of drawing.

Note: Featured images are from the Scribbles Institute youth drawing sessions.

Related Post: Born to Draw

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Rob Court

Founder and drawing coach at the Scribbles Institute, Rob helps adults and kids learn basic drawing skills for work, school, and enjoyment. He is the author of a number of how-to-draw books.