Draw what’s on your mind: Comparative analysis of preschool and primary school children’s drawings

Abstract

Children’s drawings provide valuable insights into their mind, their development. The study aimed to compare children’s drawings revealing age and sex differences. A total of 204 children aged 5-8 years participated, drawing pictures based on a content-neutral instruction (draw what’s in your mind). Theme and frequency analysis were conducted. Results showed that preschoolers drew significantly fewer objects (modus = 1) compared to first graders (modus = 11). Preschoolers most often drew vehicles, persons, and symbols, while first graders’ drawings vary much within themes and objects. Girls in both age groups depicted more nature-related objects, while boys focused on human-made products. These findings suggest a developmental shift, with preschoolers often drawing what they see or can draw and first graders expressing complex inner contents and experiences. Comparing drawings of preschool children and first graders can enhance our understanding of developmental processes during this period.