The Representation of Spatial Relationships in the Drawings of ESN(M) and Normal Children

Abstract Two age groups of normal children (7y 8m and 12y 7m) were asked to draw two cubes placed in three different spatial arrangements. A third group of ESN(M) children who had a chronological age of 12y 7m but a mental age of 7y 11m was also tested. Generally, the way that the three groups represented the cubes was in accord with the predictions made from previous research findings. One striking difference, however, was that only the older normal children attempted to depict the solidity of the cubes; in doing so, they represented the model from a viewpoint which was not their own. This finding raises doubts about the assumption that the developmental trend is towards drawing a picture from the artist's own viewpoint. The responses of the ESN (M) children resembled those of the younger normal subjects and both these groups produced more developmentally advanced drawings than had been expected.