Finding your child’s dominant sense through their drawings

Posted in Uncategorized
by Lorain County Moms

By Priscilla J. Dunstan, McClatchy-Tribune

As part of my research for my last book, I conducted a study about drawing and the senses. It involved children between the ages of 2-5 years, in a controlled setting who were given free rein to simply draw.

I found it a fascinating study because I was able to classify children into their dominant sensory modes, simply by their drawings. We then moved the study into the preschool classroom and found that based simply on a child’s drawing, a teacher could discover a child’s dominant sense.

Tactile children, preferring to stand, would survey the blank piece of paper quickly, grab one or more pencils in one hand and vigorously scribble across the page. Whilst they were aware of the edges of the paper, they were unconcerned about being within its border. As quickly as they started they would stop, throw the page on the floor and repeat the action on the next page. The younger children preferred crayons, as they “didn’t feel as scratchy” on the white page, whilst a ball point pen became the favorite for the older children. They usually picked one color, possibly adding another if pressed.

Auditory children, preferred to be organized before the stared. They had looked at the different pencils, crayons and colors of paint, made sure they were in a comfortable position, before picking their favorite color and proceeding to make circular patters all over the page. Their drawing style was balanced, organized using two or three colors. Even as young children they would prefer to use primary colors, being very aware, about boarders, spacial balance and symmetry.

Visual children would pick up each color of crayon, and mark the page, being careful to use the whole page and every color. Their drawings, from the start are colorful and expressive. Unlike the other senses they seemed to approach drawing or painting with the finished picture in mind, and were willing to spend time mastering little details. Their drawings tend to be pretty but not personal, and contain more popular representations rather than their own visual experience. The personal component for them seemed to come from others seeing and commenting on their drawing and not drawing as that expression.

For taste and smell children, a blue squiggle on a blank page would be a representation of something precious and contain lots of meaning. The squiggle often was of someone the child knew and loved, and the color often one they associate with that person. They drew, with an intent in mind, and whilst the drawing might not look, to us as adults, like anything in particular; to the child it was very clear, and very important that the viewing ordinance appreciated and knew what the squiggle was. Their drawings mostly consisted of family members, pets and close friends.

Drawing is a wonderful creative expression for your child, and therefore a great way to determine your child’s sense. If there are difficulties between two children playing, give them some paper, pencils and determine the solution based upon what you’ve learnt about their dominant sense.

Priscilla J. Dunstan is a child and parenting behavior expert and consultant and the author of “Child Sense.” Learn more about Priscilla and her parenting discoveries at www.childsense.com.