I have long thought that drawing should and would just evolve
naturally in kids, and that teaching specific skills might stunt
their growth and creativity. But I've been changing my mind
about this more and more over the last couple of years. Maia has
been asking for specific drawing guidance for over a year now
and I've debated and struggled with this in my head during this
time. However, I've finally made the plunge, partly because I
worry that she might lose interest in art and drawing altogether
if she becomes too frustrated with her ability to draw what she
wants, and partly because of this passage from Drawing with
Children: "We don't expect children to play the piano, study
dance, or learn a sport without showing them the basic
components of these subjects. Why do we expect them to
understand the complexities of drawing on their own?" And,
regarding the Monart method, Brookes says: "Everyone loves to
draw if they are given a nonthreatening environment with enough
structure for success and enough freedo