Listly by Randi Bealer
Each of these stages refers to a combination of visual characteristics found in the art work of children. "Developmental-Stage" theory assumes that the stages occur in a sequential order. Little attempt has been made to relate these stages of growth in art directly to chronological age because so many factors contribute to the child's development in art.
In recent years, school curricula in the United States have shifted heavily toward common core subjects of reading and math, but what about the arts? Although some may regard art education as a luxury, simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development.
Art may seem like fun and games - and it is! - but you may not realize that your child can actually learn a lot through exploring the arts and doing art activities - Read this article from the Barnes & Noble Expert Circle
These stages are taken from Bob Steel's Draw Me a Story: An Illustrated Exploration of Drawing-as-Language, ©1997. This stage is typical of children between 18 months and 3 years. Scribbles are random. Children are exploring art materials in a playful way. Scribbles move from uncontrolled to progressively more controlled.