Draw with me: A three step multisensory approach!

Drawing is a stage of development where children are assigning meaning to marks on the page. Lines and shapes positioned together become representations of objects and people. As the child develops those lines and shapes are used in handwriting to form letters and numbers.

As an occupational therapist, I use a multisensory approach for teaching children to draw. This helps guide a child to associate the object with the drawing...in this case a house.

A multi-sensory approach is an engagment of the whole body during learning.  It helps with visual spatial skills, motor planning and memory of the activity. 

Each of the three steps that I'm using to teach drawing includes singing a song about a house.  Music and singing is a wonderful way for children to have a repetitive way to sequence and recall different components for drawing a house. 

I'll outline the three step approach below; however this process is best observed via the video that I've recorded.  You will find the you tube linked here on the website or if you are reading this email use this link HERE. 

1. SING AND ACTIONS

Here's a house with a wall (hold up one arm vertically and keep it up) 
with a wall (hold other arm vertically and keep it up) 
with a wall (keep both arms up).
Here's a house with a floor (place one arm horizontal and hold)
with a floor (place other arm horizontal on top and hold)
with a floor (keep both arms horizontal).
Here's a house with a roof (place one arm diagonally above head and hold)
with a roof (place other arm diagonally above head with fingers touching other arm and hold)
with a roof.
HERE COMES THE WIND (make blowing noises and arms shake)
There's no house any more any more (arms are lowered and you can also fall down).
There's no house any more. 

Repeat the song and actions several times. 

​2. SING AND MAKE
I use matchsticks to help children to make the house.  Match sticks are a good size to encourage a small drawing.  Alternatives you might use include wikki stix, pipe cleaners, craft sticks or even pencils.

Sing the song again and instead of doing the hand actions, place down a match stick for each wall, the floor and the roof.  I like to join the house into a square before adding a roof. Have your child make their house next to yours and as you sing.  Slow down the singing if needed to allow time for the "making". 

3. SING AND DRAW
After the child has learnt how to make a house, you can then introduce a pencil. You may leave the model of the matchstick house for your child to observe. 

I like to draw the house with the child so that they are imitating my strokes and direction.  This helps children with the visual motor planning needed to draw. I use the same steps to draw as I did in placing the matchsticks (ie. the same order as I sing). Have your child draw their house next to yours and as you sing.  Slow down the singing if needed to allow time for the "drawing". 

​Encourage your child to sing along at every step!   

Watch as I use this three step approach - sing and actions, sing and make, sing and draw. Depending on your child's age and developmental ability; you may need to do these steps over several days or weeks. If your child is a little older, then you could possibly do all three steps within one sitting.

YOU TUBE LINK: DRAW A HOUSE WITH ME

Have you tried a multisensory approach to drawing? 

What other songs could you adapt in the same was that I've adapted this song?  I would love to try out your ideas too so comment below, tag Your Kids OT on Instagram or send me an email [email protected].

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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