>>35596262. The Pre-Schematic Stage
The second, or pre-schematic stage, is entered when the child produces his first representative symbols for objects in his environment. These symbols are formed with circles, squares, and lines. The symbols change frequently. The pictures have a “floating organization and the paper may be turned many times while drawing. Later, the symbols may be organized horizontally. The pre-schematic stage refers to that stage when the child is drawing his first symbols, but has not yet developed “schema”. Generally from 3 to 7 years of age.
3. The Schematic Stage
The main characteristics of this stage are the repetition of symbols for familiar objects, and the use of the base-line. The term “schema” refers to the habitually repeated symbol for an object. Examples of such schema are the lollipop tree, the stiff scarecrow-type drawings of people, or a series of houses which are all drawn the same. The figures appear flat and stiff, and are changed only when there is strong motivation to do so. Later, multiple base-lines are the major organizational devices used by the child in this stage. X-ray or transparent views, top views, side views, or raised base-lines are used in increasing frequency as the subject depicted demands variation from the single base-line. The pictures become more complex; yet they still use schema. Single base-lines, multiple base-lines, and fold-up views are used. The fused or continuous contour line is also used to further define figures. In general, children reach this stage between 6 and 11 years of age. Without further instruction and practice a few children will reach a plateau during the latter part of this stage.
