Developmental Art Stages

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.

*THE FIVE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN’S ART. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015

A PDF file explaining the stages of artistic development.

*Stages of Artistic Development. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015

A PDF file explaining the stages of artistic development.

*Artistic Development and Children. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015

I like to draw and paint but I'm not a child art prodigy. Mommy said, my stages of child art is progressing well according to age as described by Betty Edwards (Creative and Mental Growth 1978). The scribbling stage 2 years and below.

*Child Art | Stages of Child Art – Drawing Development in Children. (2012, February 8). Retrieved February 6, 2015

Kids produce some wonderful artwork over the years. This short guide will help you identify and enjoy the different stages your kids go through with their artwork as they get older. It will also help you work out which are the must-keep pieces.

*Children's Drawing Stages - 6 Things To Look For | Planning With Kids. (2010, August 3). Retrieved February 6, 2015

Timeline of drawing development in children from ages 2 through 16.

*Drawing Development in Children. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015

Every Creative Journey Begins with the First Steps Crayola believes that encouraging kids to express their thoughts at all ages is important. We help kids express their ideas and feelings with colorful tools made for little hands that transform a child's uniquely original thoughts into visible form.

*My First Crayola™ Developmental Stages of Art. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2015

Four distinct behaviors can be observed during the scribbling stage: manipulation, uncontrolled marking, controlled marking, and planned/named marking.

*Scribbling. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2015

The stages of artistic development have been studied and named by many individuals; Viktor Lowenfeld, Marianne Kerlavage, and Judy Burton serving as leaders in the field.

*Stages of Development. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015

Creative and Mental Growth. The 4th edition of Creative and Mental Growth by Viktor Lowenfeld and W. Lambert Brittain. 1964 includes a summary with charts describing the artistic development stages in Chaper 13. pages 395 to 402.

*Themes of development through Art. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6

Understanding the stages of artistic development can help you become better at creating art. It can also help you become a more effective art teacher. We develop artistically. Just like we develop other skills like talking and walking in stages, we develop artistic skills in the same way.

*TheVirtualInstructor Blog. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015

In 1947, Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld published "Creative and Mental Growth", which quickly became THE textbook for art educators. Lowenfeld argues that are six clearly defined and that these stages can be witnessed in the artworks of children.

*The Stages of Artistic Development - Mountain View Elementa... (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2015

A PDF file that explains how the artistic developmental stages affect children.

*Young Children in Artistic Development. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015