ASSESSMENT OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT THROUGH DRAWING OBSERVATION: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the development of preschool children through visual art activities, specifically drawing, as a form of assessment. Drawing is often regarded as an important medium for self-expression in early childhood education. However, children are sometimes faced with challenges in using art tools and materials correctly during such activities. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and identify a child's potential based on drawings produced, focusing on four main developmental domains: fine motor skills, cognitive ability, creativity, and communication. This qualitative case study involved one preschooler as the subject. Observation and interview methods were used for data collection. Three drawings themed “Keluarga Saya,” “Rumah Saya,” and “Lukisan Bebas” were analysed using a checklist and rating scale instruments. The analysis revealed that the preschooler demonstrated good development in fine motor skills and communication abilities, while creativity and conceptual understanding were at a moderate level but showed strong potential for improvement. The findings also indicated that emotional factors, social relationships, and parental support significantly influenced the child’s drawing outcomes and self-expression. This study recommends that preschool teachers implement the Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach in visual art activities to provide more space for meaningful self-exploration. Future studies may focus on the development of a standardized visual art assessment rubric or explore the relationship between interest in art activities and socio-emotional development in children.