When I first began my teaching career, I would often have multiple students at a time asking me how to draw XYZ. I would try to grab a piece of scrap paper and show them how to draw the requested thing, but after a few students, it was easy to feel overwhelmed by the requests. It was a few years into my teaching journey that I decided I would start creating simple drawing guides of some of their top requests to have on hand in my classroom for them to access whenever they needed it. Well, pretty quickly, they became a huge hit and students were requesting I draw more and more subjects. I started to notice that students would rather follow the steps to drawing at their own pace, versus me showing them in real time. So, I decided to double down and create as many drawing guides as I could that would align with our lessons, their interests and more and keep them in a spot in my classroom that my students could access whenever they wanted. It was hands down one of the best decisions I made as an art teacher.
Drawing is a fundamental part of childhood development. It not only fosters creativity but also enhances fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and cognitive development. For young children, drawing guides can be an invaluable tool that builds confidence in hesitant artists by providing structure and support that can lead to a more fulfilling and educational art experience. I certainly believe in open ended artistic experiences for children, like TAB and process art, however, I also know there are endless benefits for young children when you integrating drawing guides into your art room or home. Here are some of the key reasons why children benefit from having access to drawing guides:
1. Builds Confidence
Pictured: Things that Go Drawing Guide
Drawing guides offer a framework that helps children feel more confident in their abilities. With a step-by-step approach, children can see their progress and are less likely to become frustrated. This boost in confidence encourages them to keep practicing and developing their skills.
2. Enhances Fine Motor Skills
Pictured: Interior Spaces Reference Guide
Following a drawing guide requires children to focus on precise movements, which helps improve their fine motor skills. This practice is crucial for their overall development and can aid in other activities that require hand-eye coordination, such as writing.
3. Develops Spatial Awareness
Pictured: Undersea Animals Drawing Guide
Drawing guides often involve understanding shapes, sizes, and the placement of objects in relation to one another. This helps children develop spatial awareness, an important skill that contributes to their ability to understand and interact with the world around them.
4. Encourages Attention to Detail
Pictured: Winter Village Drawing Guide
Using a drawing guide teaches children to pay attention to details. They learn to observe and replicate specific features, which enhances their observation skills and attention to detail. These skills are beneficial not only in art but in various aspects of learning and daily life.
5. Promotes Problem-Solving Skills
Pictured: How to Draw Dogs Drawing Guide
When children use drawing guides, they encounter challenges that require problem-solving. Whether it's figuring out how to draw a difficult shape or deciding where to place elements on the page, these small challenges help develop their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
6. Provides a Sense of Achievement
Pictured: Dogs Drawing Guide, Tasty Treats Drawing Guide, Flower Crown Canine Guide
Completing a drawing guide gives children a sense of accomplishment. Seeing a finished piece of art that they created by following steps reinforces their sense of achievement and motivates them to take on more complex projects in the future.
7. Encourages Creativity Within Structure
While drawing guides provide structure, they still allow room for creativity. Children can add their own touches, choose colors, and make their own decisions within the guidelines. This balance of structure and creativity helps them learn how to follow instructions while still expressing their individuality.
8. Makes Learning Fun
Pictured: Farm Animals Drawing Guide
Drawing guides can make learning fun and engaging. They transform what might feel like a challenging task into an enjoyable activity. This positive association with learning can encourage children to explore other educational activities with enthusiasm.
9. Supports Emotional Expression
Pictured: Simple Self Portrait Guide
Pictured: The Real Me Art Lesson
Art is a powerful medium for emotional expression. Drawing guides can help children articulate their feelings and experiences through their artwork. The structured approach of a guide can make it easier for children to express themselves, especially if they are unsure where to start.
10. Provides a Foundation for Artistic Growth
Pictured: Simple Self Portrait Guide 
Pictured: Advanced Self Portrait Drawing Guide
Using drawing guides can provide a strong foundation for artistic growth. As children become more comfortable with the basics, they can start experimenting with more advanced techniques and develop their unique style. The skills and confidence gained from drawing guides can be a springboard for a lifelong love of art.
Pictured: Cozy Autumn Drawing Guide
Incorporating drawing guides into art education for young children offers numerous benefits that extend beyond the art classroom. From building confidence and fine motor skills to encouraging creativity and problem-solving, drawing guides are a valuable tool in nurturing a child's development. By providing structure and support, drawing guides help children discover the joy of creating while developing essential skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
If you are interested in the drawing guides that I create for my students and kids everywhere, feel free to check out all of my drawing guides here. Or you can go ahead and check out my ULTIMATE Growing Drawing Guide Bundle here, where there are 28 resources and counting. The cool thing about this resource is that every time I add a new drawing guide to this bundle, you can just redownload the product and it'll automatically be added at no extra cost!
Speaking of my drawing guides, I thought I would take a moment to share just a few of the dozens of messages I have received in response to my guided drawings! I cannot tell you how much each and every one of these messages has meant to me and knowing your students and children (and even adults) are finding confidence in their artistic skills means the absolute world to me! <3
