Analysis of children”s drawings. What psychologists see in them?

Children’s drawings provide a special window into their inner world and are more than just vibrant scrawls. Children express their feelings, ideas, and perceptions in ways that words sometimes fail to convey when they use crayons and paper. These illustrations develop into an effective tool for deciphering a child’s mental processes.

Psychologists frequently examine children’s artwork to learn more about their mental and emotional development. Through the examination of a child’s drawings, professionals can learn about their self-perception and interpersonal relationships by examining the themes, colors, and forms they use. This analysis supports the child’s emotional development and helps to identify any underlying issues.

Parents and teachers can benefit greatly from knowing the significance behind these drawings. It can help them make the appropriate support decisions and make sure the child’s needs are satisfied in a caring and efficient manner.

At what age can children"s drawings be analyzed

Young painters, who are as young as three years old, are at the "cephalopod" stage when they draw people as "bubbles" with extending lines that represent the arms and legs. They do not yet have the ability to draw details, and frequently a "masterpiece" is created first, leading its proud creator to reflect on what he actually captured.

Children as young as 3.5–4 years old plan their drawings before starting to execute (the drawing’s concept appears first). The child becomes proficient with a pencil by the time they are four years old, and the "cephalopods" transform into two ovals with stick-like limbs, known as "cucumber people."

When the artist is five years old, they can already draw large details like arms, legs, eyes, and mouth. By the time they are six years old, they can also draw smaller details like fingers and a nose. Children frequently sketch in the style of Pablo Picasso, drawing the head of the character in profile but with two eyes.

At seven years old, the drawn figures are finally dressed, with hats, hairstyles, and even neckwear appropriate for their age and gender!

The best drawings to analyze a child’s psychological state are those made by children between the ages of 4 and 7.

Youngsters’ drawings provide a fascinating window into their inner lives, illuminating their social experiences, emotional states, and cognitive growth. Psychologists examine these works to gain insight into how children interpret their surroundings and deal with emotions. These straightforward artworks are effective tools for evaluating a child’s psychological well-being because experts can learn about a child’s emotional health, concerns, and developmental milestones by interpreting different elements in the drawings, such as colors, shapes, and themes.

Analyzing a drawing of a family

The drawing of one’s own family is the most often chosen topic. He can impart a great deal of knowledge to a professional psychologist, but regular parents can also gain a great deal of knowledge from the drawing. First and foremost, be mindful of the concerning indicators.

Arrangement of figures in the picture

The way the family members are arranged in the photo clearly depicts their dynamics. Children frequently "delete" undesirable characters from their work by stating that the sister is "in the next room" and that "dad is at work." This does not imply that the relationship is irreversibly damaged; frequently, a heated argument results in a brother or sister being sent "to another room" in the picture.

Conversely, cherished kin may make an appearance in the photo, even if they are far away; grandparents are a common example of this.

The young artist draws the nearest and most cherished relative beside him. The child most likely mentally removes the character from the family circle if he is isolated from the others. This could be a much older brother or sister, or a working father.

A warning sign: this is a seriously concerning situation if the child is actually this "outcast"!

Depiction of oneself

Typically, the child draws himself either in the middle (which is typical for a family with an only child) or adjacent to the main character. The child depicted at the composition’s edge, apart from his parents, conveys his sense of alienation from his family. Occasionally he explains this with a plot point that validates the viewer’s suspicions: “Everyone is having fun, and I get punished (I have to read, play, and sleep alone)”.

A contented and self-assured child’s stance is wide open, with arms and legs "spread out." Should the young artist bother sketching himself with his arms crossed over his body, this represents his lack of confidence. Too short arms, or not enough of them—fears of his own shortcomings. Maybe you give the child too much criticism?

A child’s depictions of figures typically reflect the proportions of real characters: the parents are larger, the child is smaller, and the younger brother and sister are very tiny. The mocking of the drawn self conveys a sense of helplessness, the need for nurturing, and possibly even fear.

The "tearing away" of the child from the ground, in which all the characters are drawn to the correct proportions but the child appears to hang between the parents because his feet are not at the floor and his head is at the same level as the adult, is another scenario that conveys insecurity. Since they converse with their child on an equal basis, the parents of a young artist frequently are unaware that their child is uncomfortable!

Fear and aggression in children"s drawings

Psychologists are aware of the warning indications of fear and aggression in children’s drawings, which parents frequently fail to recognize.

The family member who stands out for their aggressive behavior has big, plainly enormous rake-like hands. If a child presents himself in this way, it’s likely that he has to suppress his anger all the time.

A child’s anxiety can be inferred from their clearly defined bright pupils as well as from their hard shading under pressure.

Finally, the most overt signs of aggression are clenched teeth, clenched fists, and sharp nails. If a child depicts himself in this way, it’s likely because he feels he needs protection all the time and his family isn’t able to give it to him.

Sex and children"s drawings

The representation of genitalia in the drawings of 3–4-year-old children, contrary to popular belief, speaks more to the child’s interest in his own body and the distinctions between the sexes, which he has recently learned about, than it does of someone corrupting the child.

However, it could be concerning if a child between the ages of 6 and 7 portrays themselves as having adult-like physical characteristics, such as a boy with a mustache and a beard, or a girl with a definite bust. Nonetheless, these illustrations typically reflect the child’s need for attention and desire to express himself artistically. Children therefore take great care when drawing a family, paying close attention to the details of their attire, jewelry, and accessories (babies frequently finish drawing crowns for themselves). This photo shouts, "Hey, everyone, at last, have a look at me! After all, I am a prince or princess!"

You should still be aware of the child’s surroundings, though. Is it true that no one seems to be suspicious of him?Has the child had access to information that should not have been given to him at his age, like a pornographic magazine or film, which might frighten him?

Children"s drawing and color

A child’s drawing is typically vibrant and multicolored; it is typical for them to use five or six colors. The child uses brighter colors when he feels more confident. Naturally, things are not always that easy. For example, a child may choose to shade Dad in black because he actually has a favorite sweater in that color. However, if a particular pencil is one of the favorites and one or two colors are obviously dominant in the drawing, then this is something to consider.

The majority of specialists rely on psychologist and color researcher Max Luscher’s interpretation of colors. He concluded that a person’s choice of color conveys information about both his or her physical and psychological well-being.

• dark blue – focus on internal problems, need for peace;
• green – balance, independence, persistence, desire for security;
• red – willpower, aggression, increased activity, excitability;
• yellow – positive emotions, spontaneity, curiosity, optimism;
• violet – fantasy, intuition, emotional and intellectual immaturity (children often prefer this color);
• brown – sensory support of sensations, slowness, physical discomfort, often – negative emotions;
• black – depression, protest, destruction, urgent need for change;
• if the child prefers a simple pencil and does not color the picture – indifference, detachment, desire to close off.

Children’s drawings provide us with a glimpse into their feelings, ideas, and life experiences. Simple shapes and colors that adults may take for granted can provide important insights into how a child is feeling or understanding the world around them.

These drawings are often used by psychologists to gain insight into a child’s inner world. For instance, the way they depict their family, select colors, or fill the page can all allude to various moods or developmental phases. These observations can assist caregivers in supporting the child’s emotional health and addressing any issues early on.

Even though it’s crucial to avoid overanalyzing each drawing, recognizing recurring themes or patterns can offer insightful advice. It’s a means of interacting with kids on their level and in the imaginative language that most appeals to them.

Video on the topic

Age psychology. Hans Volkelt and the study of children"s drawings

Children"s drawing: what can be seen/Projective technique/Child psychology in drawing

Analysis of children"s drawings. How to understand your child by the drawing of a family.

Decoding children"s drawings