Little artists: what children’s drawings tell us

Paper and a few pens – that’s all you need to create a work of art. All children go through typical phases of drawing. Five boys and girls show their pictures

More than just colorful doodles: pictures are also a way for children to communicate

When the baby sloughs creatively with his porridge, many parents don’t find it funny. But: it actually shows an early form of artistic expression. "For the first time, children perceive that they can create something and express themselves", says Professor Monika Miller, art teacher at the University of Education in Ludwigsburg. As soon as the little ones can use pens, they start to scribble – and develop their drawing skills in typical development steps. Monika Miller uses five children’s drawings to explain how these work. We had boys and girls paint their families for this: