The human figure is one of the earliest topics drawn by the young child and remains popular throughout childhood and into adolescence. When it first emerges, however, the human figure in the child's drawing is very bizarre: it appears to have no torso and its arms, if indeed it has any, are attached to its head. Even when the figure begins to look more conventional the child must still contend with a variety of problems: for instance, how to draw the head and body in the right proportions and how to draw the figure in action. In this book, Maureen Cox traces the development of the human form in children's drawings; she reviews the literature in the field, criticises a number of major theories which purport to explain the developing child's drawing skills and also presents new data.

First published in 1988. Child therapists have long been fascinated by children's human figure drawings and what they reveal about self-image, feelings, and' family relation­ ships. Now this comprehensively researched volume provides a valuable introduction to using children's human figure drawings as projective measures in a variety of settings. The principles for interpreting drawings, as well as general and specific indicators, are illustrated in 85 children's drawings. Part I on The Theory deals with the background of projective psychology, discussing art as a projective technique and emphasizing that all behavior, including drawings, reflects personality, attitudes and values. The authors examine the major methods of obtaining diagnostic information and recommend the use of several methods for best results. Part II on The Application examines in detail the projective use of children's human figure drawings to evaluate personality, relationships (particularly in families), group values, and attitudes. In each area, research is presented, directions for administration of various tests are given, and guidelines for interpretation are offered. Significant factors are revealed in numerous children's drawings, accompanied by clinical comments. Of special interest is the presentation of original research on group values among Canadian Indian (Saskatchewan Cree) children and on attitudes of young children toward teachers, doctors and other authority figures as revealed in human figure drawings. For psychologists, social workers, teachers and other child-care professionals, as well as students in these fields, this is an indispensable basic guide to interpreting human figure drawings.

This publication is a revision and extension of the Goodenough Draw-aMan Test which has been used to survey the intellectual status of young children.

First published in 1983. In this comprehensive volume, Dr. Di Leo once again brings to the reader the fruitful combination of extensive knowledge of children's drawings and an approach to the subject that is intimate and humane, but highly sophisticated. Those familiar with his books have come to expect the lucid style with which Dr. Di Leo leads the clinician toward incisive interpretations of children's drawings, pointing out key features and using, where appropriate, parallels from the world of art and literature. His discussions of over 120 drawings reproduced in this volume cover an astonishing range of topics, including: Interpretation, Formal and Stylistic Features, Mostly Cognition (drawing a man in a boat), Mostly Affect (drawing a house), Projective Significance of Child Art, The Whole and Its Parts, Global Features, Body Parts, Sex Differ­ences and Sex Roles in Western Society as Perceived by Children, Laterality and Its Effects on Drawing, Tree Drawings, and Personality Traits, Emotional Dis­order Reflected in Drawings, Pitfalls, Role of the Arts in Education for Peace, and Reflections. In his analyses, Dr. Di Leo skillfully singles out examples of overinterpreta­tion and other pitfalls, and answers questions such as: What does the thera­pist do when the child refuses to draw the family? Is the drawing a self-image? What are the differences between regres­sive drawings compared with the immature drawings of normal children? Even such fascinating topics as art brut, creativity, madness, and child art are discussed. The reader will find thought-provoking both the author's astute analyses and his keen awareness of the influence of society on children and the pictures they draw. Therapists in the field will find the book remarkably penetrating, while students in the field will delight in its clarity and thoroughness. Every­one who works with the drawings of children will find it absorbing.

This practical resource demonstrates how all clinicians can broaden and enhance their work with children by integrating drawing into therapy. The book enables therapists to address the multidimensional aspects of children's art without resorting to simplistic explanations. Approaching drawing as a springboard for communication and change, Malchiodi offers a wealth of guidelines for understanding the intricate messages embedded in children's drawings and in the art-making process itself. Topics covered include how to assist children in making art, what questions to ask and when, and how to motivate children who are initially resistant to drawing. Assimilating extensive research and clinical experience, the book includes over 100 examples of children's work.