Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Health and Physical Development (HPD)

Subdomain: Motor Development

Goal: Children develop small muscle control and hand-eye coordination to manipulate objects and work with tools.

Skill Progression: Drawing

Age: 54-60 Months

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Give the child paper and crayons or markers.

Ask the child to draw a picture of anything she wants. When finished, ask the child to, “Tell me about your picture.”

The child’s picture reflect her perceptions of the world. Key aspects that may not be visible to the child are shown, because the child knows they are there. For example, the animal is lying down, but all legs are shown. Pictures are beginning to show action (as told by the child) and may include elements of a story. For example, “This is the boy and this is his dog. And this is the poop the dog just made on the carpet. This is his mad Mommy.”

Early childhood educators and parents should give children time to illustrate events of the day or weekend. Pictures may actually stimulate children to talk in more detail about things that occurred. Use of multiple media also give children an opportunity to explore creative ways to express their ideas.