Recent research on children's drawing : implications for theory and practice Hayne, Harlene
Material type:
- 153.41332 REC
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Vine library | TRO 153.41332 REC | Available | A00760196B |
This research focused on whether or not drawing pictures influences the accuracy and content of a child's verbal report on a particular past event. Data was collected by interviewing children 1 week to 1 month after the event. Participants included 3- to 4-year-old children in the first event, and 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-old children in the second event. All children were from Dunedin pre-schools and primary schools. The author critiques therapist subjectivity placed on interpretations of children's drawings. However, the author posits that a number of therapists have proposed that drawings help facilitate a child's memory, although there is not yet any empirical evidence to support this. The results of the study show that children who drew while giving a verbal report of the event reported more information during the interview and remained on-task for a longer period of time than those children who just gave a verbal report. Drawing may aid the memories of children, particularly when they are interviewed about a specific event requiring accuracy of content. The author suggests that clinical or legal interviews around abuse could benefit from drawing.