Children’s Drawings
Children’s drawings are
sometimes predictable
sometimes remarkable
sometimes lovable
sometimes laughable.
Drawings can reveal
what they think
what they feel
what they imagine
what they fear.
Drawings can reflect understanding of
little things
big things
somethings
and nothings.
For me, this drawing on a scrap of paper encompasses much of the above.
Can you guess what it is??
I’ll update the post tomorrow to give you the answer…
* * * * *
Update: 21/1/11
This drawing has been an excellent reminder to me that children often understand more than we give them credit for, and see things from a more advanced perspective than we expect. The sophistication of this picture by my 4 year old took me by surprise. The drawing is a radar map showing the current rainfall and approaching storm conditions according to the Bureau of Meteorology. If you look closely you can see two flowery stickers. The smaller blue flower on the left is the marker for our home, and the larger flower sticker on the right marks the city. The yellow colouring indicates light rain (and flooding), the pale blue indicates heavier rain (and flooding), and the orange and black section is the area of severe flooding around the CBD. The dark blue on the right is a storm cell approaching. The black circles are showing that there is hail in the storm. (There were no storms at the time, but approaching storms are the most common reason we check the radar).
On top of all that, this drawing is competely purposeful. Why did my daughter draw it? Because my Dad was staying with us. He couldn’t get home due to landslides on the road, and he had to drive from our place into the city during the flood crisis. Miss 4 gave the map to her Pa to make sure he would be safe on his drive into the CBD.
As a teacher I often found that purpose driven, child initiated communications were by far the most impressive pieces my students produced. As a mother I am finding exactly the same thing.
My first guess would be a beach scene?
That or a dinosaur (always the default for my kids drawings before they started school!)
I think it’s a beach with a large octopus. Or maybe the South Bank beach with the floods approaching?
Whatever it is, it’s marvellous!
I’m going to guess it’s a blue bird in a yellow nest eating some type of flower?
Kirsty´s last [type] ..We are currently having issues with our online submission forms and IT are looking at it In the meantime you are free to email manuscripts through to admin@cradlefablescom thanks!
Kirsty – you are a genius! Bird and a grevillea perhaps?
My first thought was Southbank with the floods coming…
hmmm me and miss 4 are leaning towards something musical I thought something guitar like but miss 4 insists it looks like a saxaphone playing colourful music
think thats sounds better then my guess lol
To me it looks like a wavy guitar! I’m guessing this isn’t it but that’s what I see at first glance
A beach and the vehicles with lots of wheels used to get people to the beach.
Totally a guitar!!!!
I agree Jessie. My first thought was the floods at Southbank
I too thought southbank… or beach… with storms about to hit.
and then I can see a saxophone and a bird.
It’s kind of like deciphering pictures in the clouds…
Michelle Dennis Evans´s last [type] ..These really caught my attention
I’d say a its a yellow bird eating something maybe a caterpillar or butterfly, and the red at the right of the page is either blood or guts LOL
I am guessing something to do with the recent floods. I am looking forward to popping back tomorrow to find out.
Elise´s last [type] ..Learning About Australia
I’m sorry, but after many years of teaching I know never to ‘guess’ what a picture is or you insult their creative talents…. therefore I say…”My what a lovely picture, tell me about it”…
signed “I don’t know”.
Too true Kerri, too true. Usually I go with, “What are you thinking about while you’re painting today…?” (see this post: http://squigglemum.com/activities/finger-paint-progress/ )
This is a fabulous painting with which to make the point that even when we do try to guess, we often underestimate our children’s understanding
Tell you what it is tomorrow…
Well I was wrong! lol But I can totally see it – especially the dark colours from the storms on the BOM radar.
Lovely drawing Miss 4 – I’m sure your Pa found it very helpful
Kirsty´s last [type] ..Thank you so much to everyone who has been sending us picture books for flooded kindys and child care centres which are starting to arrive in the mail If you know of a kindy or child care centre that has been affected by the floods and would like some new books please email me at admin@cradlefablescom so we can send the books on
Wow…. and did you say she is only starting school this year. What a clever little cookie- so observant and considerate.
My oh my! one clever cookie you have there Cath. I bet Pa was just as chuffed as you to know she had checked the trip for him to ensure his safety. Priceless!
Wow! That’s so impressive! What a beautiful piece! That’s a keeper!
~Stretchy P. xx
Stretchy Princess´s last [type] ..Im a real housewife now!
That is impressive! I wonder how often we assume their scribbles are nothing when we really should be asking the question?
Simply amazing!! Children sure do need much more credit than they are given.
Brooke´s last [type] ..The Workshops Rail Museum Family Pass Giveaway!
What a beautiful, sweet child you have. So thoughtful.
this drawing is on my desk and is big talking point in the office.. it will be laminated and added to the family history collection
Pa