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Drawing as a Preliteracy Skill
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Drawing as a Preliteracy Skill 

Here is something new to think about with your young child.  Oftentimes we do not realize writing and art are linked.  However, they are essential to the learning process, especially with little ones.  

"Every child expresses himself or herself through art," said Dr. Karen da Silva, a consultant, writer and artist, who recently gave a Round Table Discussion about "Drawing as a Preliteracy Skill" to parents and providers. She is the author of Picturing Learning and A Teacher's Sketch Journal, published by Heinemann.

Making pictures is a precursor to writing.  Art stimulates creativity and results in better thinkers, readers and writers. As Kurt Vonnegut noted, "The primary benefit of practicing art, whether well or badly, is that it enables one's soul to grow."
The Shelton School Readiness Council provides this monthly column as a public service to parents of children birth to 9 years old.  Here are some helpful suggestions outlined by Karen da Silva. We encourage you to practice these fun learning techniques at home to develop drawing and preliteracy skills.
 
1.
Read picture books. Parents can read the words and your child can read the picture.  This exercise shows how the words and pictures work together to tell the story.  Better yet, read a picture book and let your child "tell" the story. 
 
2.
Read poems or lines of stories.  Talk about the pictures that you see in your mind.  Ask your child to make a picture that you "see" from the words.
 
3.
Draw pictures.  Encourage your child to draw from imagination or copy pictures from books, postcards and photographs.  Get creative with this assignment.
 
4.
Go on a field trip to an art museum.  Read pictures together and talk about them with your child.  Have your child sketch works of art that interest him or her.
 
5.
Respond to a picture. Look at a picture that your child has made.  Ask "What do you notice? What do you learn?  What idea do you get?  What do you like?"  This will provide a way of emphasizing the thinking that is behind the picture and a way to move from judgments that only lead to "I like it."
 
6.
Talk about pictures.  Ask your child to tell you about the picture. "What were you thinking as you made your picture? What are all of the things in your picture? Where did you get your idea?  What title would you give your picture?  What is the story in your picture?"
 
 7.
Do not judge your child's artwork.  There is no right or wrong answer.  Emphasize the thinking, not what the picture looks like.
 
8.
Make your own pictures and share them with your child.  This activity represents a great, shared experience between and you and your child.
 
9.
Collect pictures. Gather up old magazines or books and have your child cut out personal favorites.  Your child can make a collage and talk about what the group of pictures means.
 
10.
Shy away from drawing a picture for your child or emphasizing the technique. All these important learning exercises build confidence and lifelong learning. Enjoy your free family time together!
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