It is universal: from an early age children love to draw. “As soon as we give them the opportunity, whether on the sand with a stick or on a sheet with markers, they draw.” And for good reason, “it is an integral part of their psychomotor development”, explains Roseline Davido. It is also “a privileged and friendly way to communicate with others. There is a lot of affectivity in a drawing », Specifies the psychoanalyst. As she explains, “the drawing is not a solitary work. By giving his drawing to his parents, he is really making a gift. The child does not draw for himself but to share his well-being, to show that he can do something ”. Moreover, if a little one has a tendency to tear up his drawings, “this can reveal a withdrawal into oneself or difficulties in communicating. », Adds the specialist.
For Roseline Davido, it is important to show that we are interested in the drawings of his toddler, by thanking him, congratulating him. Do not hesitate to display or take his masterpiece to the office to enhance it. “It’s a way to get in touch with your child, to reassure him, to show him that he has not made these gestures for nothing”. Also remember to provide your toddler with sheets and pencils in a specific place in the house.
Aworan ẹbi
When he begins to draw, that is to say from the scribbling stage, “the little one makes a projection of his own development”, emphasizes Roseline Davido. And once he makes figures, very often, he begins by representing his family. Parental attachments are reflected in his drawings. Besides, according to specialists, on a sheet, “the left symbolizes the attachment to the mother, to the past, the center, the present, the right, the attachment to the father, that is to say to progress. The period of the Oedipus complex is also perceptible in the drawings of young children. For example, “the little girl, who feels a little guilty for preferring her father to her mother, identifies and assimilates to her in her drawings. Some girls offer themselves the same attributes as their mother: earrings, dress… The same pattern is obviously found in the little boy, who will want to erase or resemble his father as much as possible, ”emphasizes Roseline Davido.
Baby’s drawing, revealing troubles?
“The interpretation of drawings is a specialist’s business,” explains Roseline Davido. ” From the moment the child draws, it is not up to the parents to interpret it », She specifies. And then a drawing alone cannot reveal everything, you have to take the context into account, ”she adds. According to the psychoanalyst, it is above all necessary to be attentive to the reactions of your toddler when he draws, to listen to the story he is telling, without asking him too many questions. The child must be allowed to express himself, question him in a neutral way so as not to influence him. “We sometimes see children aged 6-7 who refuse to draw because they understand that their drawings can have a hidden meaning or that they allow to delve into their life”.
If the drawings allow specialists to detect psychological disorders or family conflicts, thanks to the colors, the omissions of characters or parts of the body, they can also make it possible to detect physiological problems. Indeed, ” when a child draws grayish drawings, it does not necessarily mean that he is depressed. He may simply be color blind », Emphasizes Roseline Davido. And if at 4-5 years old, a child spends his time doodling, it is necessary to have his hearing or his eyesight checked before thinking directly about mental disorders. For Roseline Davido, you just have to listen to your little one since “the drawings give us silent information about the development of your child”.