Education: The View from the Crib

When a child of one scribbles, aimless lines and swirls are the only result. Then, in the child's second year, a curious drawing appears: a circle marked by four dots or lines.

"Aren't you cute! You've drawn a man!'' says mother, ignoring the fact that the "arms" may be waving from the ears and the "legs" are dangling from the chin.

This sort of remark infuriates Mrs. Rhoda Kellogg, whose 35 years as a student and collector of children's art have convinced her that childhood's first great defeat often occurs at that moment. Giving "meaning" to the scribbles forces the child to accept...

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