Miranda Vaughn 16 September 2013 Art for Children Children develop their artistic ability in progressive stages.

Through research and analysis, professionals have been able to specify childrens art characteristics and place them in progressive categories. The artist of this piece of work is in the mix of multiple stages. The piece has characteristics from both the Preschematic Stage and Schematic Stage; Embellishing symbols stage, and abides by the conservation and multiple application principle. This piece relates to the Preschematic stage that normally ranges from ages four-seven. This stage represents a childs first representational attempt. This piece is just starting to include extra small details things such as hair, a saddle, and a sun. Also size of objects is not in proportion to one another (Lowenfeld 475). The body of the animal and legs are accurate representations however the head is not in proportion with the rest of the body. This piece also has characteristics from the Schematic Stage. This piece has development of a form concept which is repeated again and again(Lowenfeld 476). This is shown in this piece on the animals four legs where the same process was repeated and the artist understood that all four legs needed to be the same. The artist also uses details to embellish their piece. This piece of art also shows characteristics of the Embellishing symbols stage. The child draw objects of particular interest, adding details only to areas important to himself. These symbols have few details and are used interchangeable for people and animals(55). This piece shows that only important details are

displayed because he only chose to add a saddle, a sun and also a few spots on the horse. Usually a real horse would have more than just a few of these details but the artist found these most important and the sun was an extra detail of interest to the artist. The horse also has a human head that the artist chose to use interchangeably because the artist has not developed the skills to distinguish the difference between the two. In order to guide this student in the direction of improving from the Embellishing symbols stage experiences should be provided such as field trips, and visits that furnish vivid impressions for art expression(55). Lastly the piece also displays characteristics from the conservation and multiple-application principle. This principle states that things such as the artist using the human head again for the representation of an animal and also using, sun shapes developed independently of the figure are recycled as both hands and feet(Wilson 47). In this case the sun like object represent the horses hooves. This piece of art could fall into multiple categories, however these three categories give a thoroughly thought out analysis of this artists work. With just a little research anyone can be able to determine the stages of artwork with just a little additional attention to the small extra details. I have learned from this project that a childs artwork can open the doors to many things in education. It helps you to learn about them, to find out what stages mentally they are at, and it gives them something to share with you that they are proud of. As a future teacher I know that art integrated into all subjects will be very beneficial. Art helps students to tell a story and express themselves even if their writing skills are not perfect they are still able to touch and tell you exactly what the are thinking with a picture.

References Lowenfeld, V., & Brittain, W. L. (1970). Creative and mental growth. New York, NY: Macmillan, Co., 22-25, 474-479.

Luehrman, M., & Unrath, K. (2006). Making theories of childrens artistic development meaningful for pre-service teachers. Art Education, 59(3), 6-12.

Wilson, M., & Wilson, B. (1982). Teaching children to draw. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 39-47.