As K-12 art educators in training in the Art Education program here at Marywood, we have many important things to consider when choosing what to teach our students. One thing that should be considered when developing lesson plans is what the majority of our students are capable of doing when it comes to art. By understanding the stages of artistic development and considering them when developing lessons, we can become more effective art educators.
Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld argued that there are six stages of artistic development that can be seen through the artworks of children. He categorized these stages as the scribble stage, the preschematic stage, the schematic stage, the dawning realism stage, the pseudo-naturalistic stage, and the decision stage.
Children of the ages 1-3 years old can be described as in the scribble stage. This stage is mostly about the enjoyment and entertainment from simply making marks or art. These children do not make a connection between the marks and the representation of this marks in this stage.
Children of the ages of 3-4 years old are a part of the preschematic stage. These children are starting to see connections between the world and the art that they create, unlike the scribble stage. They also begin to understand communication through drawing in this stage.
Children of the ages 5-6 years old are in the schematic stage. Drawings at this stage begin to show a clear separation between the sky and the ground and children clearly attempt to communicate ideas through their drawings. Children in this stage also begin to place objects on the ground and draw important objects larger.
The dawning realism stage includes children of the ages 7-9 years old. These children are beginning to become more critical of their own work. Their drawings begin to develop a more complex schema to create drawings and a sense of spatial relationships.
Children of the pseudo-naturalistic stage are ages 10-13 years old. Their drawings show an understanding of value and light and are very critical of their own success. They begin to value realism and frustration is common in this stage.
The final stage is the decision stage and it includes children ages 13-16 years old. At this stage children will decide how they view art. Self criticism can discourage children at this stage and it is the most critical stage to the development of artists.
In order to best adhere to our students’ feelings, capabilities, and development, it is important for us as art educators to learn about these stages of artistic development. It is important for us to not only consider these stages when developing our lessons, but also to encourage students of every stage to continue making art despite their skill levels.
Reference: https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/the-stages-of-artistic-development
