Preschoolers Can Draw Self Portraits

We’re starting the school year off with All About Me activities! It sounds hard but preschoolers can draw self-portraits. They learn about themselves when they look in the mirror and observe what they look like. Here’s how I helped my preschoolers draw self portraits.

Prepping for Art

A couple tips that might be helpful:

I date The Daily Notes and glue them on the back of the projects so they don’t get separated from the work. They’re also good explanations for putting into portfolios.

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I also use printed name tags for my group. Some are not able to write their names yet and by the time they finish their project, the older ones are not interested in writing their name anymore. The labels I use are Avery Small Return Adress Labels 80/sheet.

Also, I don’t like my writing on their work so the printed labels eliminate that. A little prep makes things go smoother! Of course, there are many ways to do things so this is just one way.

Self Portraits Invitation to Create

We are trying to hold onto summer and stay outdoors as much as possible so I set up our Self Portraits Invitation to Create on the deck. I found this great screened frame at a garage sale a couple weeks ago, intending to use it for something just like this. And it worked out just as I thought it might!

Experience Preschool provides all the printed materials you see. New this year are the Word Wall Cards. I love having literacy throughout our learning centers!

Setting Up a Self Portrait Center

Supplies I provided:

• Inspiration Photo of Pablo Picasso & Title Display
• Blank paper with frame
• Crayons, markers
• Mirrors
• Word wall cards

Prompts for Drawing Self Portraits

• When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
• Which colors will you need to make your drawing?
• What shape is your face (eyes, ears, nose, and mouth?
• Would you like to draw your whole body or just your head? Why?
• Can you tell me about your drawing?

With a mixed age group, we have a mixture of results. The 5 year old’s picture had a lot of character. So fun to watch it evolve!

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We are all unique. Everyone looks different and has different names, interests, and favorite things. We also share commonalities with each other. Mirrors help us look at our own reflections.

Experience Curriculum

Helping Children Draw Themselves

For the younger ones or the ones who say “I can’t draw myself”, we look in the mirror and I ask, “What shape is your face? It looks like a circle to me.” Can you draw a circle? What about your eyes? What colors do you see?”

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There are no right and wrongs. The 17-month-old wants to participate too, so he colors with markers, working alongside an older child. I love using Experience Curriculum with mixed age groups for this reason – everyone can participate at their developmental level and interests while learning by being exposed to the materials and the children’s work around them.

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Observing a child’s drawing

Observe the details the child included in his drawing. Are the main body parts represented or is something missing? How proportional are the body parts?

The self portrait creative art activity promotes an appreciation for visual arts and creates self awareness.

As you can see, preschoolers can draw self portraits!

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I displayed everyone’s work on the screen and they went off to play. Working outdoors creates a casual atmosphere where children can work at a center and then go off and play, making room for the next child. Hopefully, the beautiful weather continues through October and November so we can be outside as much as possible until the snow flies.

We’ve also been working on spelling our names with Name Pockets and reading stories, learning about body parts, exploring how a brain might feel and learning about skin and bones.

More All About Me Activities

• All About Me
• Smelling Sensory Bottles
• Personality Plus Preschool Display
• Self Portrait Center