Drawing As A Child’s First Writing
Why is it important to motivate and encourage children to draw? There are researches, such as the one published in the Revista Eletrônica Educare, which show that drawing is a fundamental aspect for the construction of written language. Furthermore, it is considered the child’s first form of writing.
In Prehistory, drawing played an important role in people’s communication. We know that the representation system through drawings or ideographic writing was the way our ancestors had to understand and communicate.
Over time, ideograms became graphic symbols and gave rise to written language. Something similar happens with children. The little ones come to writing through drawing and, therefore, children’s drawing is a valuable tool for learning to write.
Vygotsky and the written language
Vygotsky and his collaborators studied what they call the “prehistory of written language in children”. According to his research, the learning process of writing follows a trajectory.
This trajectory starts with the most primary symbols, such as gestures and games. Then there will be a new stage, around 18 months, in which children will use doodles and drawing as a way of writing and then finish representing the written word.
Furthermore, Vygotsky understands that there is a very close connection between oral language and drawing. He describes that the child, when drawing, usually draws in terms of narration, that is, he draws a story as he would when speaking.
Thus, Vygotsky concludes that the design is a graphical language that comes from the verbal language. Therefore, children’s drawing can be considered the first stage in the development of written language.
On the other hand, through their graphics, the child begins to develop visual and motor coordination . In addition, she also learns to master the line and organize her drawings. All these aspects, although they seem insignificant, are the basis for learning to write.
Drawing in writing development
Thus, when the child begins to be literate, he does not distinguish between drawing and writing. However, she perceives writing as an iconographic system that allows her to understand that drawing and writing are forms of communication.
Through drawings, children can communicate their thoughts, feelings and knowledge about the world around them. So when she draws, she talks to herself. Through her drawings, she expresses what she cannot express with words.
Furthermore, during this first phase, children “read” what they draw, although they vary their reading each time they do so. However, the important thing is that the little one is giving a meaning to his drawing and considers it as if it were a form of writing.
For example, if we ask a child to write something or write a story, he will reproduce scribbles or drawings on paper, even separating them as if they were words. In this way, the little one invents graphic shapes that symbolize his ideas and thoughts, a kind of ideogram with meaning for him. So he is creating his “first alphabet”.
Therefore, drawing is considered the child’s first writing and, for this reason, it is beneficial to encourage children to express their ideas through drawings. This act will prepare the child to understand the conventional aspects of written language.
Drawing as a form of expression
In addition to the importance of drawing as a child’s first writing, it can also reveal several aspects about our little ones, such as fears, traumas, desires, moods, who their best friends are, what they like to do the most, etc. The drawings say a lot about them.
Thus, through drawings, children can communicate their thoughts, feelings and knowledge about the world in which they live.
When drawing, the child talks to himself. She draws not only what she sees, but also what she feels and how she interprets the world around her. Through her drawings, she expresses what she cannot express with words. Therefore, on many occasions, they reflect the character of the little ones.
There are several representative indicators in children’s drawings that allow us to know the child’s personality. Among them are the size of the design, the colors used, the distribution on the sheet and, no doubt, its own content.
Drawing as a child’s first writing: recommendations
Drawing can be considered a privileged instrument used by children to express their thoughts and feelings. Therefore, it has the same value as words and constitutes a first form of writing.
For this reason, parents and educators should encourage and motivate the little ones so that they can draw and have fun while drawing. Although not all children have the same ability to draw or are also creative, it is essential that the adults show enthusiasm and approval when children make a drawing for us or bring any school.
Likewise, we should value spontaneity and let the imagination run wild. It doesn’t matter if the child puts the sun on the underside of the leaf or a fish on the mountain, or if he paints a tree black. This is no reason to correct or scold the little one. The important thing is to allow him to express himself freely.
However, it must be borne in mind that drawing is not homework, although it is the fundamental basis for learning to read and write. In short, drawing should be a playful and fun activity for little ones.
