A Brief Overview of

Teaching Art to
Grade 2 (Age 7)

By Zafy Langdale
 Physical Development
The average 2nd grader…
• Can ride a bike
• Can dress themselves
• Can throw, kick, and control a ball
• Can do fine-motor activities like
sewing and building models
• Can draw with control and detail
• May hold pencils or other objects in
fine motor activities very tightly,
causing muscular stress.
• Enjoys activities that utilize large
muscles, like swimming, running
and dancing
• Shows preference towards video
games or gym games over
imaginary games
2nd Graders tend to have a lot of energy, and enjoy
physical and active games.
2nd Graders have developed gross and fine motor
skills, but some fine motor activities can cause
muscular stress if done for long periods.
 Cognitive Development
The average 2nd grader…
• Understands conservation
• Has strong opinions
• Is constantly developing vocabulary, and is
interested in learning new words
• Can think about several things at once
• Is introspective, and enjoys having quiet
time to think
• Can worry about morality of
decisions/actions
• Understands symbols in writing and math
• Is curious about how the things around
them work
• Likes to sort, collect, and classify
surroundings

2nd Graders are rapidly developing understanding of

concepts like morality, conservation, symbols, and more
abstract concepts.
2nd Graders tend to be very curious about their
surroundings, and are interested in learning new things.
 Social-Emotional Development
The average 2nd grader…
• Tells and enjoy Jokes
• Plays complex games with others
and understand rules
• Is socially patient, and can take
turns
• Has best friends, and changes
best friends often
• Prefers 1 on 1 conversations
• Worries about what others think
about them
• Likes having periodic alone time
• Relies on adults for reassurance,
but starts to strive for
independence

2nd Graders make close friends, and feel self-conscious

about how they’re perceived by others.
2nd Graders tend to have strong bonds with the adults
in their life, like parents and teachers.
 The Art of 2nd Graders
Space
While a 2nd grader’s understanding of
space and perspective will be
incomplete, they will begin to want
to accurately show represent space
in artwork. While art made at this
age is still 2 dimensional, there will
be attempts to reflect observed
physical and special phenomena.
Notice how this artist on the right
adjusts the angle of the ground and
blanket for this unique perspective.
Baselines
At a young age, children will begin to
utilize ‘baselines’, or a
representation of a ground plane
where all the objects and characters
in their scene rest. Around 2nd grade,
children will start to introduce
multiple baselines and a horizon line
to show depth in space.
Notice in the pieces on the left how
two-dimensional structures and
characters are placed to recede in
space
 Schematics
or ‘Schemas’, are artistic
shorthands many 2nd graders
use to represent often complex
visual patterns in art. On the
left, we see a young artist has
created a schema for drawing
faces.

Stereotypes
Different from schemas,
stereotypes are a repetition of an
artistic abstraction observed
elsewhere (often in popular
media). In this drawing, a child
utilizes the stereotype of a sun as
a yellow circle with lines with a
smiling face.
Interest in Pop Culture
Many 2nd graders will incorporate pop-
culture figures in their art, often
alongside their own original
characters or in situations imaginary
situations. Creativity and critical
thinking using popculture characters
should be encouraged in children
alongside other artistic principles.
 Realism
Tied to wanting to represent accuracy
of space, 2nd Graders may also start to
incorporate observations of their
surroundings and fine details into their
work (a tendency that will grow to
dominate their artworks in coming
years)
In the drawing on the left, notice the
pattern on the hawk’s tail, and the
sun’s placement in the sky.

Don’t Forget!
Every classroom will have students of a variety of ages, a variety of
development levels, and a variety of experience. Get to know each
students’ individual artistic abilities to better find what projects and
exercises will best suit them.
 In the Classroom…
The average 2nd grader…
• Likes normalcy in their
surroundings, may be upset by
changes
• Is loyal to teachers, and may
need preparation for a
substitute
• Works slowly and carefully to
achieve ‘perfection’
• May restart projects they aren’t
happy with
• Likes to consistently check in
with teachers, and review
material and instructions

• Enjoys memorization and repetitive

tasks
• Enjoys periodic quiet times that
allow for introspective thinking and
internal review
• Are accepting feedback
• Are comfortable with emphasis on
making ‘quality’ projects and having
artwork ‘polished’ for display
(mounting on paper, etc)
Key Ideas for Teaching 2nd Graders
• Create an inspiring but controlled learning
environment
o Have artwork decorating the room to inspire
students
• Have a consistent and well-communicated
schedule
o Flexibility is important when necessary, but 2nd
graders overall appreciate routines
o Give warning to students when you’re starting a
new activity soon so they can get mentally
prepared
• Stimulate interest in surroundings
o Use art as a method for students to explore and
better understand their environment
• Challenge stereotypes
o Especially stereotypes around gender, race, and
other identities that may appear in their art
• Encourage use of schemas with variation
o Schemas are a helpful tool, but help students
recognize the natural diversity in their
environment
• Assign work with partners instead of groups
o 2nd graders develop close friendships, and
communicate better 1 on 1
• Give breaks
o After 10-20 minutes of consecutive working or
teaching, give students a structured break to
relax their fine motor muscles and recollect
their thoughts
o Break can be a quick exercise or dance to let
out energy
 Works Cited

Bulman, K., & Savory, L. (2006). Understanding children's

development. In BTEC First Children's care: Learning and
development (pp. 2–48). essay, Heinemann.
Lowenfeld, V., & Kanter, L. A. (2022). The Stages of Artistic
Development. (D. C. Gregory, Ed.). University of Missouri-\
Columbia.
Roland, C. (2006). Young in Art- a developmental look at child
art. Art Junction.
Staff, H. (2020, May 27). Milestones for 7-year-olds. CS Mott
Children's Hospital. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from
https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/ue5719
Wood, C. (2017). Yardsticks. Center for Responsive Schools, Inc.