The authors suggest using graphic dialog--an adult and child drawing together and discussing their work--as a way of developing children's graphic skill. They illustrate the procedure through case studies and note that graphic dialogs between two children can also be effective. (SJL)

This article is concerned with the representational paintings and drawings of six- to nine-year-old children in which human relationships and interactions are central to subject matter. As a rule, children at this age are thought to be at the height of their curiosity and imaginative powers. (Author/KC)

As an example of the insights into creativity and cultural influences which may be gained by analyzing children's spontaneous play, the authors present a case study from Jamaica, where they observed young boys making their own toy trucks. (SJL)

Sixty-six first-, fourth-, and sixth-grade children were tested for their sensitivity to the dimensions of syntactic repleteness (e.g., line variation) and expression (i.e., the feelings conveyed by a work). (Author/MP)

Examined the effects of race and gender on social distance in the drawings of African- and European-American children. Found that social distance was smallest for same-sex and race peers and greatest for cross-sex and race peers. African-American children placed a smaller distance between same sex/same-race dyads than European-American children.…

This article discusses how parents nurture their children's interest and passion for the arts, and describes the art education model in place at one Montessori school, involving integration with cultural studies and music as part of the daily learning experience. Suggestions for family art activities include creating family art projects, playing a…

Examines young children's emerging abilities to organize their written language performance under different writing conditions, before they are able to read and write conventionally. (PCB)

This study of the drawings produced by 34 autistic and 33 normal children (age 68-211 months) at the same developmental level found no intergroup differences on fragmentation of geometric design drawings, but significant differences in geometric design overlap and human figure overlap and fragmentation. (JDD)

The preschool program of Reggio Emilia, Italy is discussed in terms of the quality of the program's environment, the quality of its students' work, and student and teacher planning involved in the projects undertaken by the students. It is maintained that children in the Reggio Emilia program know what is important to the adults around them.(BG)

Discusses art development in young children. Correlates findings from play research with theories about the development of the creative process in children. Discusses implications for curriculum and teaching methods. (RJC)

Offers an interpretive frame for viewing children's growth as creators of imaginative worlds. Suggests that writing development depends not only on children's discovery of cognitive and linguistic strategies but on children's discovery that writing can help authors create coherence in their worlds beyond texts. (MS)

Explores the reasons art teaching practices developed by Pestalozzi and Froebel in the 1800's continue to influence contemporary schools, especially at the kindergarten and primary grades. Argues that 19th century school art coexists in contemporary North American elementary schools with school art forms originated by Cizek because each represents…

Investigated effects of varying doses of psychostimulant medications on expressive qualities evident in children's art products. Findings from eight children affected by attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder indicated that specific areas assessed were influenced by varying doses of medications. Data from art corresponded in positive manner to…

Describes the "Private Eye Project" developed by Seattle artist and writer Kerry Ruef and piloted by the Seattle Public Schools. Program materials include a loupe (a jeweler's magnifying glass) and a kit of specimens. Transformed by the loupe, the most ordinary objects present new, analogous worlds leading to poetic and artistic…

Discusses two broad stages of children's drawing--scribbling and representation--and the phases of each stage that children will pass through as they develop. Provides suggestions for supporting children's early drawing development. (HTH)