Curious Drawings

Tyler, age 6, “Curious wants to be held by Mom.”

We began working on Draw Write Now in 1992 when my children were four and six years-old. They were immersed in their grandmother’s drawing lessons, and I have to admit that I wondered if all the exposure to the lessons would limit their budding creativity. I got my answer with their drawings.

Sick with the flu, Tyler and I were the only ones home. Feeling terrible and not able to watch over him as usual, I heard him go outside and told myself he would return shortly. Just as I was getting concerned, he came inside and quietly amused himself in the front room then came to my bedroom with this drawing and note. He had gone out to the pen to get a look at his pet rooster, Curious, so he could draw the picture.

Michelle loved Curious, too, and made her drawing by looking at the photo of Ty and Curious.

My children made many Draw Write Now drawings of dogs, cows, boys, girls, horses, crocodiles and yes, chickens, giving them the skills to look at a subject and draw what they saw. I’d say that training a child to use basic drawing skills is an important skill for a creative child to possess!

Ty and Curious

Michelle, age 8, “Curious”

Posture While Drawing or Writing

Standing While Drawing & Writing

Writing or drawing while standing at a vertical surface—an easel, white board, or any vertical surface in a house (wall, fridge, glass door)—has these benefits:

• the hand and forearm fall naturally in the correct position
• arm movement is free—The heel of the hand is not “planted” in one position. When the hand is “planted”, movement is restricted to only the fingers.
• downward strokes come naturally, which is similar to the top to bottom direction used when writing letters

Take the toddler out of the highchair so they can stand while they color and scribble. Let the four year-old draw a dog on the garage wall. Give the 7 year-old an easel. Challenge the 12 year-old to draw while standing. 

An easel has a slanted surface, which is more comfortable to work at than a straight vertical surface. Make a simple easel by leaning a board against a wall. This could be an old bulletin board or whiteboard. (Stabilize the board at the top where it touches the wall and block the bottom.)

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Sitting While Drawing & Writing

Most of our drawing and writing is done while sitting at a table. The arm rests on the surface of the table, stabilizing the hand and arm movement.

When sitting:

• feet are flat on the floor (or a step stool or a stack of books)
• knees are at the same level as the hips
• arms, bent at the elbow, rest on the table top
• shoulders are relaxed, not scrunched up toward the ears

Maintain the hand/wrist/arm position that is presented while standing. Watch for “planting” of the hand—the hand and forearm should rest on the table top and provide stabilization for the arm, but not constrict movement. The non-writing hand stabilizes the paper.

A child-size chair and table helps tremendously, if available. Adjustable tables and chairs are available for the growing child.

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Relaxing While Drawing & Writing

Just as we like to see a child relaxing with a book, we love to see a child lounging with a pencil and paper. A relaxed posture while writing/drawing has it’s place and time. Simply remember to include plenty of practice time in the standing and/or sitting positions. 

Infants as well as 12 year-olds benefit from “tummy-time”. Therapist recommend that children lay on their stomach while propping their upper body with their arms. This position may be awkward for writing, but is fine while watching TV, reading or playing with small toys.

Outdoor activities like swinging from bars on a jungle gym, climbing a rock wall or walking like a crab develop the muscles and skills needed for good posture.

When I See a Child's Drawing

Those of us who knew Marie Hablitzel acknowledged her special way with children. It shone through in children’s artwork.

Hannah, age 8?

“Drawing a picture together gave everyone a chance to begin the day with a success. A new student, a child who struggled with reading, or one who didn’t understand English could follow along with me. Everyone could draw and write the short sentences.”

— Marie Hablitzel

A month after Marie passed away in February, 2007, and feeling the loss, I was going about my normal errands. Near the exit of my local grocery store, a wall was covered with cute children’s drawings of octopi. On my way out, I stopped to have a closer look and realized it was from the octopus lesson in Draw Write Now, Book 6. Seeing the drawings picked up my spirits and would have been enough for me, but when I got to the bank, there were colorful drawings of sunflowers in the foyer, a lesson from Draw Write Now, Book 3. Just a few blocks from the bank, the appliance store window was filled with drawings of the Gingerbread Boy, a lesson from Draw Write Now, Book 1. It was Youth Art Month and retailers in town made room to display children’s artwork. The bank clerk said the drawings were little angels all over town.

One of my brothers noted that the Draw Write Now series is a tribute to our mother’s many years in the classroom. I must add that when I see a child’s drawing, it’s a tribute to my mother and other teachers who put their heart and soul into helping children grow and learn. I am forever thankful that her lessons have been shared with so many children, parents and teachers.

—Kim Stitzer

Marie's Story

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My mother, Marie Hablitzel, was a second grade school teacher. Her students remember starting each school day with a drawing lesson. After she retired, we coauthored the Draw Write Now series. 

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Bob and Marie

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Marie enjoyed three-mile walks up until a few weeks before her death in 2007 at the age of 86. I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with her and am honored to continue her work.

— Kim Stitzer