Taking time to sit with a child and ask about the artwork is the first step to understanding preschool art. To avoid putting pressure on the child or influencing the explanations, it is important to allow the preschooler to create the art in a normal relaxed setting such as in a group or social environment. Allow the child to have some time to begin the artwork before beginning the interaction, and then take a few minutes to observe before opening the lines of communication.
Research presented in the book "Understanding Children's Drawings" by Glyn Thomas and Angele Silk suggest emotions become evident during a discussion about the piece of artwork. Include open-ended questions and allow the child to answer freely to gain insight into the meaning behind the piece without guiding the child in an intended direction. Ask the child questions such as, "What is he doing?" or "Why did you choose this color?" and refrain from accepting a simple yes or no answer. This type of art-based interaction proves to be helpful when a child's behavior indicates a problem that needs looking into.
Besides looking at the finished piece, analysis of the child's artwork includes taking notes on the exact questions asked as well as the child's answers, emotions and behavior during the process. Emotional responses reveal underlying concerns that may be unconscious within the child but apparent to a trained adult. According to research presented in Elementary School Guidance & Counseling in 1993, seemingly simple drawings of repeated circles may indicate possible sexual abuse. Consistent drawings of sad people or faces or frequent use of the color black may indicate depression or another problem.
Analyzing and understanding preschool art helps the adult decide if further investigation into the mental health, home environment or developmental stage of the child is necessary. Unclear or negative results of the analysis that expose a possible problem demand further attention. On the other hand, a child that uses bright colors while expressing happy sentiments and telling age-appropriate stories about the artwork portray a healthy representation.
Reading into a single creation, using a suggestive line of questioning or relying solely on the preschooler's artwork to make a determination proves to be dangerous and often incorrect. Avoid taking one piece of preschool artwork too seriously or over-analyzing it. Leading the child with questions that insinuate particular meanings create falsehoods. If the child's behavior and emotional state mimic the adult's understanding of the artwork, it is likely a correct analysis. When in doubt, contact a therapist or school social worker for an opinion.