Creative experiences for Children

Creative Experiences for Children 2(1+1)

Lesson 12 : Developmental Levels in Art in Children

Observation of the basic forms stage

The student or teacher observer of young children should keep in mind the following points.

• Age: Note the age of the child. See how the child sits in the age range of basic forms stage.
• Motor control: Note if the child draws with a lot of arm movement or uses just the hand to draw. The child who uses more hand movement is showing good motor control. In the basic forms stage, children reduce fewer unnecessary arm movements.
• Types of basic forms: See if the shapes are well drawn or rough and unclear. Rough, less clear forms are made in the early stage. A child in the later basic forms stage draws clear, easy to recognize shapes.
• Use of paper: See if the child fills the page with one or many basic forms

Try these activities and note the observations

• Give the child pieces of cardboard in square, circular and rectangular shapes. Show how to trace lines around the forms. After the child has traced the forms for a while, see if freehand basic forms improve.
• Arrange poster paint and brushes so the children can paint. Mark down the ages of the children who are best able to use these tools.