Reasons to use Directed Drawing in Your Classroom

If your students are anything like mine - they love directed drawing. They are obsessed! You will be glad to hear that directed drawings don't just have to be an afternoon free-time activity, directed drawing help students to develop many important scholarly skills. 

5 Reasons to use Directed Drawing in Your Classroom Today

1. Following Instructions: directed drawings are a great way to teach students how to follow instructions. This includes both the act of actively listening to instructions and enacting the instructions in a successful way. Listening and following instructions is an absolutely vital skill for children and this is such a fabulously fun way to practice!

2. Confidence: In order to feel confident, students must first be taught. Directed drawing is a great way to boost student confidence - my students are always thrilled to see how amazing their drawings turn out and have such a sense of pride in their work. 

3. Creativity: I discovered through my university studies that not teaching students 'how' to draw is almost an exclusively Western thing. Many countries in different parts of the world see drawing as a skill that is taught, practised and mastered with instruction. This is a very different attitude to many educators in the US who fear they may be stifling creativity but by using gradual release of responsibility, children feel more confident to take artistic risks when they are first taught the skills to succeed. 

4. Fine Motor Skills: The forming of shapes, controlling a pencil and purposefully creating are all processes which support fine motor skills. Directed drawings give students structure and instruction to improve fine motor skills in a fun and creative way. They won't even know they are learning!

5. Mindfulness: an unexpected benefit of directed drawing is mindfulness! Research has shown that drawing mindfully can result in a heightened sense of wellbeing for students. Children also through this practice hone focus and attention span as they immerse themselves in a state of focus and concentration. 

If you want to start incorporating directed drawing in your classroom, you can find my fabulous range of directed drawing activities in my TPT store. These no prep activities are perfect for any time of the year!