Visual Arts
Helping Your Five-Year-Old Become an Artist
Helping Your Five-Year-Old Become an Artist
Five-year-olds are starting to experiment with simple drawings that represent the world around them and include more and more detail. Figures have clothing and expressions. There may be a clear separation between the sky and the ground. At this age, children have more control over the direction and size of the lines they draw and are able to copy shapes (triangles, squares) and print some letters and numbers. They also have more control of their art tools (pencils, markers, brushes, scissors).
Five-year-olds are curious and inquisitive. Their art reflects their personality and experiences. They enjoy using their artwork as a springboard for storytelling. Favorite subjects include self-portraits, their family and pets, their house, vehicles and nature. Ask them to tell you the story behind their creations and to talk about the process that went into making them. In addition to keeping basic art supplies easy to reach, encourage your child to experiment with different materials.