FM.F.125 ADDS AN ARM ORA LEG TO AN INCOMPLETE MAN

This item and the following one are concerned with the child’s ability to draw body parts. Drawing a complete figure, with face, body and limbs, is a 4-5-year-old skill, but you can start teaching it now, through these activities.

How to Assess

Materials: A crayon, paper with a predrawn figure, one arm or leg missing.

Method: Place your drawing on the table. Say: ‘Look, here’s a man (or girl or boy or whatever). Something is missing. What’s missing? You draw what’s missing.’

Score plus if your child draws the missing body part in 2 out of 3 tries.

How to Teach

Draw the figure as your child watches, naming each part as you go. When you have almost finished, say: ‘I’ll draw one leg. You draw the other leg.’

When your child can do this, give him less information about what is required. Say: ‘I’ll draw one leg. What’s missing?’ Repeat this process, leaving out an arm instead of a leg. Finally, alternate missing arms and legs in a random’ pattern.

Then reassess to see if your child can add the missing part without having watched you draw the figure.

Playtime and Round-the-house Activities

Use every opportunity to talk about body parts. Count arms and legs. Draw plenty of simple figures without leaving anything out, and encourage your child to trace over them with his finger. Trace around your child’s hands and feet when placed on paper, or trace his body shape with soap as he stands against a mirror. You could leave off a body part so that your child can complete the shape.

Remembering and Extending

Try leaving out 2 body parts. Instead of arms and legs, you could leave out the body or a face part or the hair. See also the extension activities listed after FM.F.126.