IRE DRAWING

 Children start to draw people at a very early age. Their concepts
 will vary as they grow older, and they should be encouraged to draw
 the figure the way they best comprehend it. At first they may make
 a very nebulous shape with grotesque, exaggerated features. Arms
 may protrude from ears and the torso may be omitted entirely.

 Primary children can be made aware of the figure by means of
 observation. They can be taken out on the school grounds and di-
 rected to look at their shadows. Then they can observe while three
 or four children walk slowly by. By observing and learning to see,
 the memory is developed, and the drawing of people becomes a
 part of their art expressions. They should be encouraged to use people
 in their drawings, and not feel hesitant to do so.

 Primary children enjoy doing self-portraits. These can be in
 crayon or paint, on any size paper. Encourage filling the space by
 making the head touch the top of the paper, and the feet at the bot-
 tom. Have some of the children stand up while the others observe the
 position of the head, body, arms, and legs, before they start to draw
 or paint.
 Intermediate grade children should ob-
 serve the body also. When they reach the
 place where they need some direction, they
 can sometimes comprehend the figure by
 means of oval shapes. Or they can start
 with a solid mass for the torso and "push
 out" shapes that indicate arms, legs, neck
 and head.
 Draw with a"doodling type'of scrawl
 line, or with the side of chalk or crayon.
 Work freely and easily.