WJEC GCSE Home Eco - Child Development

The role of parents and carers Parents can encourage children to draw and to write by making it fun and praising the child’s efforts. Displaying pictures develops the child’s self-esteem and gives them the confidence to continue. Art should be a regular play activity and children need access to a wide variety of drawing implements, such as crayons, pencils and chalk as well as plenty of cheap paper. A suitable chair and table encourages a child to develop the correct posture for writing. A black/whiteboard or easel can help children to draw and paint comfortably without leaning on their work. Colouring books and activity books containing dot-to-dot pictures and patterns to copy will help to develop pencil control. Children should be allowed to use their preferred hand as trying to make a left-handed child be right handed can cause difficulties in learning to read and write. P r o v e i t ! 1. Why is it important to encourage a child to draw? 2. When are children ready to start drawing? 3. What are early drawings like? 4. When do drawings become more realistic? 5. How can parents and carers encourage a child to draw and write? Summary • Learning to draw or write is a fine manipulative skill (physical development) as well as an intellectual skill. • Drawing can help children to express feelings that they are unable to explain in words. • Children need to be praised and encouraged in their attempts at drawing and writing. • Parents and carers should provide a range of materials for children to draw and write with. 2½–3 years Lines are added around the circle. 3 years These lines are grouped together to represent hair, arms and legs. Can copy letter H. 3–4 years Small bodies are now added, with legs at the bottom and arms coming out of the head. The child will begin to trace letters, numbers and shapes formed by dots. 4–5 years The body is more in proportion, legs have feet and arms have hands. The pencil is held in an adult fashion with quite good control. Circles, triangles and squares are copied, as are the letters C, A, U and Y. 5–6 years Other features such as clothes, houses, trees and pets are included. Collect drawings from a range of children (or try looking on the Internet). Compare the drawings with the stages shown here and try to identify the probable age of the child. Activity Child Study Plan and carry out an art activity with your study child. Observe the child and identify how they are holding the pencil/paintbrush, etc. What stage are their drawing skills and what does this tell you about the child’s development? 181 Topic 5: Intellectual Development