Art: Model behaviour

As children progress through Key Stage 2 many become more aware that certain classmates are ‘the best at drawing’ and consequently become less satisfied with their own artwork. In this, the second part of the Learning to See series, we explore some strategies for encouraging children to become less concerned with making ‘finished’ pictures and to ‘loosen up’ their approach to making observational drawings. By making a series of drawings in a short space of time, children will focus more on the process of making art, rather than the end product. The following activities emphasise the importance of setting children challenges that prompt them to adopt a different approach to each drawing they make; challenges that encourage them to look carefully and respond quickly to what they see.