Observational Drawing & Learning Processes
As Spring-like weather continues to tease us with her inconsistent presence, our CGS students looked closely at some fresh blooms in Art class. Marianna chose to bring the outdoors inside in the form of fresh cut flowers that the kids could view, smell, examine, touch, compare and study. At CGS, we know the importance of teaching children that the method by which you arrive at the destination is as-or-more-significant than the destination itself.
Drawing requires progressive fine motor skills and relies heavily on visual-spatial abilities. Some argue that drawing is crucial to learning, and observational drawing, (drawing from real-life as opposed to memory or imagination), is a powerful meaning-making tool both in the cognitive and emotional realm. 
The act of drawing develops fine motor skills, math skills and spatial awareness, memory, focus and concentration, and even communication of what we see and what we imagine. Our ability to communicate ideas to each other grows increasingly important. Whereas verbal explanations can be adequate, visual representations help us truly see another person’s thinking.
Another important element of observational drawing is a commitment to draw as accurately as we can in order to document our observations and then to visually communicate them back to others. That said, drawing can also be a strong form of creativity and self-expression. It’s the intentional act of observation that sets the stage for individual art and creative outcomes.
Executive functioning skills sound quite serious for what kids may want to learn when they’re being creative, yet these skills (working memory, flexible thinking, task-initiation, impulse control, time management), are crucial for academic success, professional performance, and overall well-being. Regardless of the skills practiced and learned, our CGS students to find joy in the experience. Next time you see a flower…really take a look at what you see…shapes, lines, form, texture, colour. What do you observe?