The Da Vinci Code

If you know what you’re looking for, your children’s drawings can be a valuable source into the inner workings of their minds.

Children become fascinated by their ability to draw from the moment they pick up a crayon and start scribbling. For most kids, making marks on paper is their first real attempt at creative expression. At that stage, it’s not about representing reality, but exploring a newfound way to communicate. As their understanding of the world deepens, their little drawings become more sophisticated, evolving from messy scribbles to thoughtful tableaus.

Eyes may be the windows to the soul, but children’s drawings may be the gateway to some of their inner workings. Even though still childlike, their drawings may provide many insights to their thoughts and experiences. From the colours they use to the strokes they make, every element can potentially unearth compelling new information about junior. Paying attention to them can help you gain a better perception of your child’s hopes, relationships, feelings, and even their personalities.

Analysing children’s artwork is not a new thing at all. Psychologists have long been using this method to assess a child’s mental and emotional health. Their drawings are so revealing simply because it’s much easier for children to express themselves through spontaneous imagery. Even after they learn to speak, it will require more years before children can communicate their emotions and thoughts effectively. Unable to find the right words beyond happy, sad and angry, children are more likely to convey their feelings – consciously or unconsciously – through their illustrations.