Why Some Children Stop Drawing - and How They Start Again

Read time: 1 minutes 39 seconds

We had a major breakthrough last week with a little girl I’ve been working with 1:1. While she’s really confident and creative when it comes to all other art forms, paper and pencil are a no-no, no thanks, see you later kinda situation. But last week we cracked something! We managed to root right down into understanding why she is so reluctant. After a lot of gently-gently work, I managed to steer the conversation on to how she felt about drawing. And I learned that kids at school had laughed at her and said her drawings were scribbles. 

And that was it.Shut down.I scribble.I can’t draw.I won’t draw.I’ll stay nice and safe in this safe space of avoidance. It breaks my heart to see kids in this space. If she stops drawing, her drawing skills will obviously not develop. It’s pretty hard to know what message your kid has been given and when. And even if you do know, it can be really hard to know what to say. That’s how I use this week’s book.

Aaron Slater, Illustrator, by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, is about a youngest brother who can’t read as well as his brothers. Despite his enthusiasm. Eventually, crushed, he gives up and plays the hope-no-one-notices-me game. 

I use this book to open up conversations around: 

• How did Aaron feel when he couldn’t read the way he wanted to and as well as others? 

• Does it make sense that Aaron can’t read as well when he hasn’t had as much practise as his brothers? 

• If Aaron wants to get better at reading, what would make more sense: avoiding it, or carrying on practising? 

This one is a great opportunity to discuss the feelings involved with getting things wrong, and even how scary it can feel to try again, but how great it feels when you power through! 

We all want to be great straightaway, but most things come through showing up and not giving up. 

And then - after weeks of gently, gently trying…

She drew.The first one alongside me. The second one completely on her own.That’s what happens when a child starts to feel brave again.Becca xPS. Message back if you want me to send you a copy of this week's book for free.PPS. One workshop is sold out next week but there are some spaces left on the other days.

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