REFLECTIONS ON CHILDREN'S DRAWING, MEMORY AND PERCEPTION

Abstract

This article addresses the contribution of memory and perception for understanding children's drawings. We believe that to understand a child's drawings, it is necessary to understand some issues related to the memory (Duarte, 2003). Likewise, if we can develop our visual memory, then we could also develop drawing capabilities. We use Piaget's (1981) considerations about the nature of perception and drawing, the concept of internal modelling of Georges-Henri Luquet (1927), and the studies of Bernard Darras (1996, 2003) about visual and procedural memories. Next, we consider the relationship between visual memory, reality, and image representations Brent and Marjorie Wilson (1982) attempt to explain why it easier to copy a drawing of a certain object than trying to mentally evoke a real visual image of the same object. Finally, we consider the importance of understanding these issues, for enabling the teacher to improve his or her work with drawing among the students.