Clock a doodle clue!

Doodling is an important part of a child’s development. In the same way that babbling helps a child to talk, doodling helps children learn to express themselves. However, according to a study by Silver Cross, children are not doodling as much as they used to and this could be having a detrimental effect on their development.

To an untrained eye, doodling may seem like nonsense, when actually it provides clues to a child’s frame of mind. Not only can doodling help children to write, it can, in some ways, reveal more about a child’s character than handwriting; uncovering self-knowledge contained not in words but in images. You may be surprised at the psychology behind seemingly meaningless doodles as the shapes, colours and symbols children choose all have specific meanings and come from deep within the subconscious mind.

According to Elliot Eisner, Professor of Education at Stanford University, doodling and drawing helps young children ‘say what cannot be said’. For toddlers who can’t yet articulate their thoughts, or children who just don’t want to, doodling gives them a voice; they draw on paper feelings they can’t express. It can reveal certain characteristics like confidence, intelligence and a caring nature, indicating the basis of the person they may become.

So, what do children’s doodle’s mean? While parents should be cautious about trying to interpret their children’s doodles themselves, there are some general observations such as the colour, shape and position of the doodle on the page that can point to a child’s mood or personality.

Doodles that are particularly detailed and carefully drawn may point to a child who feels the need to try very hard and may worry in case he or she doesn’t meet expectations. A lot of stairs in a doodle may also indicate that a child is striving to do his or her very best. A bold mark, line or splodge at the extreme edge of the paper (especially on the right) may suggest that a child is quite reserved. Strokes that are close together often represent stress moments, particularly if a lot of pressure is used on the pencil, which suggests strong feelings, determination and, possibly anger. Softer movements point towards an ability to seek harmony and be gentle.

The location of a doodle is particularly significant. The left side of the page represents the doodler’s space and independence and is usually associated with the past and nurturing. It also tends to be the space children associate with their mother and an area in which they draw things they feel comfortable about. The right side tends to relate to an interest in the future and other people. Children may also doodle on the right half of the page when thinking about their father.

Generally, girls tend to doodle more feminine objects like hearts, flowers and circles, while boys tend to doodle columns, boxes and methods of transport but the stereotypical view that pink is associated with girls and blue with boys isn’t always the case. There are no negative implications if a girl favours blue or a boy favours pink but the colour a child uses can give general clues to their mood or personality.

Red is an arresting colour that attracts attention. A child that uses red frequently may like excitement and doesn’t want to miss out on anything and may like to be different.

Green can suggest an individual who doesn’t necessarily want to be like everyone else, tow the line or be obedient. Children who use a lot of green tend to like space; may be artistic and intelligent.

Brown can be used by a child who wants to be noticed but also needs to feel secure.

Black suggests decisiveness, dominance and points to a child who may be relatively demanding.

Blue is the colour of caring. A child who chooses to use blue will usually enjoy company and have a kind nature.

Purple is another colour that suggests dominance and can be used by a child who feels he or she has a right to certain things.

Yellow can show a sunny nature, also intelligence; children who use yellow may question things more than the normal and sometimes worry more too.

Pink is a colour often favoured by girls, though not exclusively and it shows a need for love and appreciation.

Children should be encouraged to doodle as it helps with their development and is a tool for them to express themselves and, as we have seen, it can also give parents an insight into their child’s personality revealing what they love, what they dislike and what they are worried about. So, what are you waiting for? Get the crayons out and get them doodling!

For more information on how you can analyse your child’s doodles visit www.silvercross.co.uk/doodletranslation.