The document describes the five stages of artistic development in children: 1) The scribble stage from ages 2-4 where children make random marks without intent to represent objects. 2) The pre-schematic stage from ages 3-7 where children begin to use symbols to represent objects in their environment. 3) The schematic stage from ages 6-11 where children repeat symbols and use baselines in their drawings. 4) The transitional stage from ages 9-12 where children try to make more realistic art but still include schematic elements. 5) The realism stage after age 12 where children can produce art similar to adult standards with control over techniques.

1. 
STAGES OF ART
 1. The Scribble Stage
The first stage occurs when the child manipulates a drawing tool and makes
random marks, dots, and lines on the drawing surface. He will scribble and
manipulate the drawing tool with little or no concern for the appearance of the
marks he makes. There are three discernible stages during this stage:
• random scribbling
• controlled scribbling
• naming of scribbling
 By definition, a child in the scribbling stage, usually 2 - 4 years of age, is not
drawing symbols for objects. Children like to scribble because it gives them a
chance to move their arms around freely. The act of scribbling is purely
kinesthetic and imaginative. Don’t waste money on coloring books, they can
actually inhibit children’s creativity. They are much better off with a large sheet
of paper and a fat, dark crayon.

2. 
STAGES OF ART:
Cont’d
 Pre-schematic: 4 year olds try to represent things,
colors not realistic.

3. 
 The Pre-Schematic Stage
The second, or pre-schematic stage, is entered when the
child produces his first representative symbols for objects
in his environment. These symbols are formed with
circles, squares, and lines. The symbols change frequently.
The pictures have a “floating organization and the paper
may be turned many times while drawing. Later, the
symbols may be organized horizontally. The pre-
schematic stage refers to that stage when the child is
drawing his first symbols, but has not yet developed
“schema”. Generally from 3 to 7 years of age.
3

4. 
STAGES OF ART:
Cont’d
Schematic: About age 7 – like to represent forms.

5. 
STAGES OF ART:
Cont’d
 Schematic continued:
 Sex differences at this age.
 What do boys draw? What do girls draw?

6. 
 3. The Schematic Stage
The main characteristics of this stage are the repetition of symbols for
familiar objects, and the use of the base-line. The term “schema” refers to
the habitually repeated symbol for an object. Examples of such schema are
the lollipop tree, the stiff scarecrow-type drawings of people, or a series of
houses which are all drawn the same. The figures appear flat and stiff, and
are changed only when there is strong motivation to do so. Later, multiple
base-lines are the major organizational devices used by the child in this
stage. X-ray or transparent views, top views, side views, or raised base-
lines are used in increasing frequency as the subject depicted demands
variation from the single base-line. The pictures become more complex; yet
they still use schema. Single base-lines, multiple base-lines, and fold-up
views are used. The fused or continuous contour line is also used to further
define figures. In general, children reach this stage between 6 and 11 years
of age. Without further instruction and practice a few children will reach a
plateau during the latter part of this stage.
6

7. 
STAGES OF ART:
Cont’d
 Realism: About age 9, smaller, more details, don’t
want to show work, often get discouraged. Why?

8. 
 5. The Realism Stage
The stage of realism is entered when the child is
producing art work in the manner of adult artists. In
general, the child is 12 or older. Considerable control over
the medium, content, and organization is evident. The
figures become natural in appearance, or are intentionally
stylized. The consistent use of many organizational
devices is also quite evident in the art work produced
during this stage, such as overlapping, diminishing size,
placement on the picture plane, and linear and aerial
perspective. It is at this stage that the child becomes most
critical and self conscious about their ability to produce
realistic artwork.
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9. 
 3. The Transitional Stage
This is the stage in which the maturing child, usually 9 years or
older, attempts to produce art work that meets adult standards;
yet he still produces works which unintentionally contain many
characteristics of the schematic stage. For instance, a picture
may include a natural looking ground plane with trees of
diminishing size going off into the distance. However, the child
may include the top view of a swimming pool and place several
stiff figures on the edge of the paper. The art work has visual
contradictions. The base-line is replaced by a receding ground
plane, and there is frequent use of intentional overlapping.
Much attention is given to details, sex roles, and clothing
differences. Some linear perspective may be used during this
stage. A few children who enter this stage will reach a plateau
and not enter the stage of realism.
9

10. 10

11. 
 Arts and crafts usually involve children working
with both hands, and involve them moving their
hands in a particular manner. This helps them
develop their bilateral coordination and fine motor
skills, which will help them learn and get used to a
variety of other daily activities such as dressing,
showering, tying their shoes, and so on. It may also
help them in sports when they are old enough to
play.
11
Arts and Crafts Improve Their
Coordination

12. 
 A child’s imagination has no limits, and arts and
crafts are a great way for kids to explore their
imagination and turn it into something productive.
Arts and crafts encourage kids to be creative and
innovative, which could further nurture other artistic
talents down the line.
12
Arts and Crafts
Encourage Creativity

13. 
 Arts and crafts are an activity that can be done both
alone and with company, so kids can do it whenever
they feel like it. It can be a great bonding activity
between your kids and their friends or even your
kids and you, and also be a hobby which your kids
can pursue when they need to entertain themselves
when they are on their own.
13
Arts and Crafts are a
Flexible Activity

14. 
 One of the most important stages of child
development is when toddlers learn to feel good
about themselves. Arts and crafts activities empower
children with positive emotional responses to
learning. They understand that they created
something, and when you encourage and promote
this creativity, your kids enjoy a feeling of self-pride.
14
Arts and Crafts Can
Skyrocket Self-Esteem

15. 
 Arts and crafts are a great way to allow children to
express themselves, as children tend to be very
visual about the things that happen around them
and in their heads. For children who are shy and
reserved, parents should have even more reason to
encourage them to carry out arts and crafts activities
as this will give the parents some insight into what
their child is feeling, thinking, or experiencing.
15
Arts and Crafts Teach Them
to Express Themselves

16. 
 Fine motor skills are nothing more than small
movements. When you pick up tiny objects, hold a
fork or spoon, or manipulate a pen or pencil to draw,
you are employing fine motor skills. And with your
child colors, makes a craft project at school or creates
a macaroni and glue art masterpiece, he is improving
his fine motor skills
16
Arts and Crafts Can Hone
Fine Motor Skills

17. 
 You notice patterns, colors and physical
improbabilities without thinking twice. That is
because when you worked on crafts and your artistic
efforts were promoted as a child, you were
improving your visual processing skills. This
cognitive development is very important in your
child’s early years. And when you help your little
princess create a construction paper tiara while
reinforcing the names and identification of primary
colors and objects, you boost your child’s visual
processing capabilities both now and later in life.
17
Arts and Craft Help with Important
Visual Processing Abilities

18. 
 I am not referring to your child’s ability to become
CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Not yet anyway.
Executive functioning means focusing attention,
controlling impulses and using working memory.
All of those skills are effectively promoted when you
break out the crayons, craft paper, scissors and glue
and sit down with some arts and crafts quality time
with your child. These skills guide planned behavior,
and are very predictive of later professional and
academic success.
18
Arts and Crafts Promote
Executive Functioning

19. 
 When children participate in both arts and crafts,
creativity and imagination receive strong
stimulation, states the Americans for the Arts
website. A child with a paintbrush in his hand
suddenly has the ability to create vivid paintings and
express himself boldly with color and brush strokes.
The youngster can also learn about symbolic
communication through the art he creates, choosing
various colors to communicate feelings, for example.
Imagination and Self-Expression

20. 
 With exposure to various types of arts and crafts, a
youngster can develop her own individual
craftsmanship interests. Working with clay might
spark a strong interest in pottery for a child, who can
then go on to develop and enhance her skills and
talents. The youngster can benefit from setting goals
for achievement. As a child improves, she can also
look back on her progress to note the strengthening
and refinement of her skills.
Individual Craftsmanship

21. 
 If you integrate art and crafts into your child's academics,
your child can derive additional benefits. Many literacy
and mathematical concepts can become easier to
comprehend and even more interesting with the addition
of art, according to Reyner. For example, if your
youngster draws a picture or creates a sculpture of a
character from a story, he may boost his reading
comprehension and interest in literature. A child who
uses artistic manipulative such as paper shapes and beads
can gain mastery of mathematical concepts due to the
hands-on nature of the items.
Strengthening
Academics

22. 
 As your child creates a work of art, she has begun the
process of communicating visually, advises author and
educator MaryAnn F. Kohl, writing for Barnes and Noble
Kids’ Expert Circle. A youngster also builds problem-
solving skills, fine motor skills and even social skills as
she works with artistic media. The process of making her
own creations and noticing other people’s creations
provides important opportunities for the appreciation of
other people’s strengths and acceptance of her own
abilities. A child also learns that the ability to follow
directions is an integral part of the satisfaction of seeing
the final result when making a craft
Life Skills

24. 
 Crafts such as coloring, drawing, cutting, all require
your child to use both of their hands together. This
skill is important in other areas of their lives as they
continue to grow, such as writing, tying shoes,
typing and so much more.
Bilateral Coordination

25. 
 In order to draw shapes, cut patterns, and hand
writing, your child is required to use their fine motor
coordination. These skills similarly translate to other
areas of their lives, such as dressing ,eating, and in
the academic setting.
Fine Motor
Coordination

26. 
 Crafts that require drying require waiting. This is a
great lesson for you child to demonstrate self control
and patience. Also, as always things might not go
exactly as we hoped.
 Crafts are a great way to promote flexibility in your
child. There is no right or wrong way in exploring
one’s own creativity.
Self Regulation

27. 
 Although we want to challenge our kids, it is also
important to initially choose arts and crafts that are
at your child’s skill level. Completing the crafts
successfully will give them a great sense of
accomplishment and pride. As you and your child
begin to explore more crafts, you can add in more
and more challenges.
Self-esteem booster

28. 
 Your kids will love spending time with you and
creating something together.
Bonding and fun

29. 
29

30. 
 http://nspt4kids.com/parenting/5-developmental-
benefits-of-arts-and-crafts/
 http://www.livestrong.com/article/1005819-
nontoxic-childrens-paints-harmful-swallowed/
 http://www.thejennyevolution.com/what-are-the-
benefits-of-arts-and-crafts-for-kids/
 http://my.ilstu.edu/~eostewa/ART309/Five_Stage
s.htm