INTERPRETATION OF FIGURATIVE ART SYMBOLS IN DRAWINGS BY 4-5 YEAR OLD CHILDREN

Abstract

This study examines the complex symbols of children aged 4 5 years and how they use illustrations to represent the human body, animals, nature, and other elements of daily life. During this period, children begin to create more detailed and complete figures, using a wide range of shapes and lines to express their thoughts, emotions, and perceptions of the world around them. In illustrations of the human body, children use circles and lines to symbolize body parts such as the head, hands, and feet, reflecting movement and actions they observe in adults and others. These figures are often simple but begin to include elements such as gender, with boys depicted with short hair and girls often shown in dresses.
Children also use illustrations to depict animals, which are an important part of their world. At this age, they start using spiral and solid lines to represent the movement of animals, such as birds in flight or fish in water. This use of lines demonstrates the children's attempt to understand and express the dynamic and natural movement they observe in their environment. Animal illustrations also become more detailed, highlighting specific elements like a dog's fur and a cat's whiskers, reflecting the development of the ability to create more complex figures and express natural details.
Additionally, illustrations of nature, such as trees and flowers, are also important at this stage of development. Children of this age use circular and spiral shapes to depict natural elements and express their movement, as seen in flowers and trees that bloom. They also use different colors and shapes to reflect the natural world, creating compositions that express their imagination and perception of nature. This period marks a growth in the child's perceptive and creative abilities, allowing them to more clearly express the world they experience.
Another important aspect of this study is the representation of the home and furniture, as part of the child's everyday environment. At the age of 2 4 years, children often create simple and figurative forms of homes and furniture, using horizontal and vertical lines to symbolize objects like chairs and tables. As they move into the 4 5 age range, these figures become more complex, including additional elements like windows, doors, and interior details that reflect a growing ability to understand the structure and function of objects.
The work includes selected works from specific age groups and was developed over a four year period. The research process involved direct observations and structured questions focusing on the psychological aspects of children's development. This study also highlights the importance of drawings in understanding children's mental and perceptual development. Illustrations are a powerful tool for understanding how children perceive and interpret their world through the creation of complex symbols that reflect their relationships with nature, individuals, and the objects around them. This gradual process of figure creation serves as a mirror to their intellectual and creative development, and through these illustrations, we can better understand the space and world they see and experience.
This study contributes to the understanding of how children create and use symbols to reflect their perceptions of the world, helping educators and parents better understand the stages of children's development and support their creativity and mental growth.