A Developmental Analysis of 5-7 Year-Old Children's Human Figure Drawings

Author :  

Year-Number: 2014-Volume 6, Issue 2
Language : null
Konu : null

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the development of 5-7 year-old children's human figure drawings in relation to their age. The study is of a descriptive nature and takes as its study group 240 randomly selected children attending independent kindergartens, the preschool year of elementary schools and grade 1 in schools located in central Ankara. There were 40 girls and 40 boys in each group. An age-related analysis of the drawings created by using Koppitz’s Human Figure Development method showed a statistically meaningful development in all body parts drawn by 5-7 year-old children, other than heads and nostrils. In body part drawings, all body parts other than elbows and number of fingers developed meaningfully with age. All leg parts other than knees, profile, good proportion and clothing consisting of four or more pieces also developed meaningfully with age. The difference between children aged 5-6 years was not statistically meaningful, while the differences between those aged 5-7 and 6-7 were. Overall, 5-year-olds displayed 51,3% of the expected criteria in Koppitz’s Human Figure Development, while 6-year-olds displayed 60% and 7-year-olds displayed 65%.

Keywords

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the development of 5-7 year-old children's human figure drawings in relation to their age. The study is of a descriptive nature and takes as its study group 240 randomly selected children attending independent kindergartens, the preschool year of elementary schools and grade 1 in schools located in central Ankara. There were 40 girls and 40 boys in each group. An age-related analysis of the drawings created by using Koppitz’s Human Figure Development method showed a statistically meaningful development in all body parts drawn by 5-7 year-old children, other than heads and nostrils. In body part drawings, all body parts other than elbows and number of fingers developed meaningfully with age. All leg parts other than knees, profile, good proportion and clothing consisting of four or more pieces also developed meaningfully with age. The difference between children aged 5-6 years was not statistically meaningful, while the differences between those aged 5-7 and 6-7 were. Overall, 5-year-olds displayed 51,3% of the expected criteria in Koppitz’s Human Figure Development, while 6-year-olds displayed 60% and 7-year-olds displayed 65%.

Keywords


  • Artut, K. (2004). Okul öncesi resim eğitiminde çocukların çizgisel gelişim düzeylerine ilişkin bir inceleme. Çukurova Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 13(1), 223-234.

  • Artut, K. (2007). Okul öncesinde resim eğitimi. Ankara: Anı yayıncılık

  • Bensur, B.J., Eliot, J., & Hedge, L. (1997). Cognitive correlates of complexity of children’s drawings. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 85, 1079-1089. DOI: 10.2466/pms.1997.85.3.1079

  • Brown E.V. (1990). Developmental characteristics of figure drawings made by boys and girls aged five through eleven. Perceptual Motor Skills 70, 279-288. DOI: 10.2466/PMS.70.1.279-288

  • Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E.K., Akgün,Ö.E., Karadeniz, Ş. & Demirel, F. (2012). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri. Ankara: PegemA Yayıncılık.

  • Camara, W.J, Nathan, J.S.& Puente, A.E. (2000). Psychological test usage: Implications in professional psychology. Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 31(2)141-154. DOI: I0.1037//0735-7028.31.2.I41

  • Case R., & Okamoto, Y. (1996). The Role of central conceptual structures in the development of children’s thought. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 246 (61), 1-2. DOI: 10.2307/1166077

  • Case, R. (1985). Intellectual development: Birth to childhood. Orlando, FL: Academic Press.

  • Cashel, M. L. (2002). Child and adolescent psychological assessment: Current clinical practices and the impact of managed care. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 446–453. DOI: 10.1037//07357028.33.5.446

  • Catte, M. & Cox, M., V. (1999). Emotional indicators in children’s human figure drawings. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.8:86-91. DOI:10.1007/s007870050089

  • Chandler, L. & Johnson, V. (1991). Using projective thechniques with children: A guide to clinical assessment. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

  • Cherney, I. D.,Seiwert, C.S., Dickey, T.M. & Flichtbeil, J.D. (2006). Children’s drawings: A mirror to their minds. EducationalPsychology, 26(1),127-142. DOI: 10.1080/01443410500344167

  • Christensen P.& James, A.(2000). A Research with Children. Falmer Press; London

  • Clark, A. (2005a). Listening to and involving young children: A review of research and practice. Early Child Development and Care, 175(6), 489–505. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004430500131288

  • Clark, A. (2005b). Listening to and involving young children: A review of research and practice. In A. Clark, A.T. Kjörholt, & P. Moss (Eds.), Beyond listening: Children’sperspectives on early childhood services (pp. 490– 505). Bristol: Policy Press.

  • Costenbader, V. Allison, M.R. & DiFonzo,N. (2000). Kindergarten screening: A surveyof current practice. Psychology in schools, 37(4), 323-332. DOI: 10.1002/1520-6807 (200007) 37:4 <333 :: AID-PITS3> 3.0.CO, 2M.

  • Cox MV, Koyasu M., Hiranuma, H. (2001). Children‘s human figure drawings in the UK and Japan: The effects of age, sex, and culture. British Journal of Developmental Psychology,19, 275-292. DOI: 10.1348/026151001166074.

  • Cox, M. (1998). Drawings of people by Australian Aboriginal children: The intermixing of cultural styles. Journal of Art and Design Education, 17(1), 71–79. DOI: 10.1111/1468-5949.00107.

  • Cox, M.V. (1992).Children’s drawings. Harmondsworth, UK: Penguin.

  • Dağlıoğlu, H.E. ve Deniz. Ü. (2011). Okul öncesi dönem çocuklarının insan figürü çizimlerinin gelişimsel açıdan cinsiyete göre incelenmesi. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 10(35)16-30.

  • Dockett, S.,& Perry, B. (2005). Children’s drawings: Experiences and expectations of school. International Journal of Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood, 3(2), 77–89.

  • Einarsdottir, J.,Dockett, S.& Perry, B.(2009). Making meaning: Children’s perspectives expressed throgh drawings. Early Development and Care,179(2), 217-232. DOI: 10.1080/03004430802666999

  • Freeman, N.H. (1980). Strategies of representation in young children: Analysis of spatial skills and drawing processes. London: Academic Press.

  • Garb, H. N., Wood, J. M., Lilienfeld, S. O., & Nezworski, M.T. (2002). Effective use of projective techniques in clinical practice: Let the data help with selection and interpretation. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 33(5), 454-463. DOI: 10.1037/0735-7028.33.5.454

  • Golomb, C. (2004) The child’s creation of a pictorial world. Mahwah, Nj: Lawrence Erlbaum Assosiates.

  • Gombrich. E H. (1972). The visual image. Scientific American, 227,2-96.

  • Goodnow, J. (1977). Children’s drawings. London: Open Books.

  • Graue, E.M.,&Walsh, D.J. (1998). Studying children in context: Theories, methods and ethics. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Gross, J.,& Hayne, H. (1999). Young children’s recognition and description of their own and others’ drawings. Developmental Science, 2(4), 476–489. DOI: 10.1111/1467-7687.00091

  • Herberholz, D.W.(1985). Developing artistic and perceptual awareness: Art practice in the elementary classroom.(5th edition) W.C. Brown (Dubuque, Iowa).

  • Jolley, R.P., & Vulic-Prtoric, A. (2001). Croatian children’s experience of war is not reflected in the size and placement of emotive topics in their drawings. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 40, 107–110. DOI: 10.1348/014466501163526

  • Kellogg, R. (1969). Analizing children’s art. Palo Alto. CA: Mayfield.

  • Kındap, Y. ve Sayıl, M. (2005). Çocuk çizimlerinde temsil ve ifade: Doğrusal ve doğrusal olmayan gelişim. Türk Psikoloji Dergisi, 20(56), 25-39.

  • Knoff, H. M. (2003). Evaluation of projective drawings. In C. R. Reynolds & R. W. Kamphaus (Eds.), Handbook of psychological and educational assessment of children: Personality, behavior, and context (pp. 91158).New York: Guilford.

  • Koppitz, E. (1984). Psychological evaluation of human figure drawings by middle school pupils. London: Grune&Stratton.

  • Koppitz, E. M. ( 1968). Psychogical evaluation of children’s human drawings. New York: Crune and Stratton.

  • Kress, G. (1997). Before writing: Rethinking the paths to literacy London: Routledge

  • La Voy, S. K. Pederson, W. C., Reitz, J. M., Brauch, A. A., Luxenberg, T.M., & Nofisnger, C.C. (2001). Children’s drawings: A cross-cultural analysis from Japan and the United States. School Psychology International, 22, 53-63. DOI: 10.1177/0143034301221005

  • Lubin, B., Larsen, R. M., & Matarazzo, J. D. (1984). Patterns of psychological test usage patterns in the United States: 1935-1982. American Psychologist, 39,4, 451-454. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.39.4.451

  • Lubin, B., Larsen; R.M., Mattarazzo, J.D. & Seever, M.(1985). Psychological test usage patterns in five professional settings. American Psychologist. 40,7,857-861. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.40.7.857

  • Machover, K. (1949). Personality projection in the drawings of the human figure. Springfield IL: C C Thomas.

  • Malchiodi, C.A. (1998).Çocukların resimlerini anlamak (çev: T. Yurtbay) İstanbul: Epsilon Yayıncılık

  • Özer, S.(2009). Turkish children’s human figure drawings: Can we borrow norms?.Educational Psychology,29(6)701-712. DOI:10.1080/01443410903210387

  • Paktuna Keskin, S.(2007) . Çocuk çizimlerindeki giz: Çöp çocuk. İstanbul: Boyut Yayınları

  • Pillar, A.D. (1998). What do children think about the drawing process? Journal of Art and Design Education, 17(1), 80–86. DOI: 10.1111/1468-5949.00108

  • Punch, S. (2002). Research with children: The same or different from research with adults?’ Childhood, 9 (3): 321-341. DOI: 10.1177/0907568202009003005

  • Ring, K. (2006). Supporting young children drawing: Developing a role. International Journal of Education Through Art, 2(3), 195–209. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1386/etar.2.3.195_1

  • Smith, D.,& DuMont, F. (1995). A cautionary study: Unwarranted interpretations of the draw-a-person test. Professional Psychology: ResearchandPractice, 26, 298–303. DOI: 10.1037/0735-7028.26.3.298

  • Stanczak, G.C. (2007). Introduction: Images, methodologies, and generating social knowledge. In G.C. Stanczak (Ed.), Visual research methods: Image society, and representation(pp. 1–21). Thousand Oaks, CA:

  • Steele, B. (1999). Notes on the aesthetics of children’s drawings. The Education Network, 15, 16–24.

  • Tallandini, M. A., & Valentini, P. (1991). Symbolic prototypes in children’s drawings of schools. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 152, 179-190. DOI:10.1080/00221325.1991.9914665

  • Veale, A. (2005). Creative methodologies in participatory research with children. In S. Greene & D. Hogan (Eds.), Researching children’s experience (pp. 253–272). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Watkins, C.E., Campell, V.L., Neiberding, R. & Hallmark, R. (1995). Contemporary practice of psychological assessment by clinical psychologists. Professional Psychology Research and Practice. 26,54-60. DOI: 10.1037/0735-7028.26.1.54

  • Wilson, M. S., & Reschly, D. J. (1996). Assessment in school psychology training and practice. School Psychology Review, 25, 9-23.

  • Worthington J. (2001). Parents are the best source of information about their children. University of Queensland December.

  • Yavuzer, H. (2000). Resimleriyle çocuk. 8. Baskı. İstanbul: Remzi Kitabevi

                                                                                                                                                                                                        
  • Article Statistics