Offering young children the possibility of discovering works of art gives them access to pictorial forms different from the graphic universe to which they are most often exposed.
Paintings in particular can catch the eye of little ones, whether they represent figurative scenes or abstract compositions. The latter do not a priori make sense for the child. His own drawings are always figurative: they represent a reality, they designate a person, an animal or an object which have an existence for the child who draws.
Bright colors particularly appreciated
But this realism, towards which adults push children (“what did you draw, what does it represent”?) is preceded by a graphic activity, not abstract, but pre-figurative, what is scribbling. The latter does not express any representative intention, but a particular motor pleasure since it leaves a trace that the child can explore both in terms of the outline and the colors.
But the little ones can be captivated by the sight of an abstract painting, especially if it has bright colors, which are particularly appreciated.
To accompany the child in the reading of a painting, we can ask him what it evokes for him and, from there, tell stories which can both anchor the work in reality, but also develop his imagination.
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