Identity Study

To see how a child perceives him or herself is a glimpse into his or her observational mind.  In a self-portrait, we see what children value about their physical selves and their general self-perceptions.

Over time, as we compare the differences in their portraits, we can see the cognitive and fine-motor development of the child.  By noticing similarities in the pictures, we see the aesthetic of the child's work - although the pictures become much more detailed and complex as the child develops, we are able to see the progression of the child's artistic style.

 - Lois Malaguzzi

We wanted to start the year by having the children get to know themselves.  To really stop and take a look at themselves.  And then to begin to notice similarities and differences between them and their peers.  We believed that if they truly began to look at themselves physically, they may begin to look at themselves in terms of their interests, their strengths and their weaknesses.  We wanted to lay a foundation for a year long Identity Study.

We set out mirrors around the room, some big, some small, and left paper, pencils and pencil crayons beside them.  We didn't give any instructions of what to draw.  Some students drew pictures of lowers or cars, but many of them drew pictures of themselves.  This big mirror and the free standing one below drew a lot of attention.  Without even realizing it students were watching themselves in the mirror, making faces, smiling at themselves, etc.  It was a lot of fun just to stand back and watch.

It also made me a little sad to see how some students did not like to look at themselves in the mirror.  They avoided these centers, or if they were there it was a quick glance with no smile.  This made my wonder...why is that?  Do they not like their own reflection?  Maybe they don't have access to a mirror at home at their height and so it is a whole new experience and therefore a little uncomfortable?  Does it mean nothing and would be considered "normal" behaviour?  I have no idea, but I hoped our Identity study this year would lead them to a place where they got to know themselves and truly like who they were.

The awareness of being and the means of expressing ones "me-ness"...the face discovers its own image..."  - Lois Malaguzzi

In about October/November, of last year, a colleague and I had the pleasure of going to visit the Hawkins Exhibit and attend a workshop on "messing about".  The host school let us tour their classrooms and we came across this idea that tied so perfectly into our Identity study.  We printed an 8x10 headshot photo of each student and then placed an overhead transparency on top.  We had the children trace themselves with a sharpie marker.  Intially I had planned on calling 3 or 4 students at a time and sitting with them in small group to do this.  I had envisioned me do more trouble shooting and encouraging, but after the first group I quickly realized the rich learning opportunity this was.  The kids were engrossed with the details of their face.   It was like they were discovering things about themselves for the first time.  They had so many questions and comments:  "Why do I have hair in my nose?"  "Why do I have so much hair in my eyebrows?"  "My hair is messy today!"   "My eyes are shaped like a moon".  I could go on.  It was wonderful to be a part of this self-discovery.  What we thought would be finished in a few days took almost a week and a half.  But it was well worth it.

Sample of the transparency drawings

Prior to doing this activity we had begun an identity board for each child.  It has a photo of them, their handprint, they wrote their name and there is a spot for a self-portrait drawing.  We had them do their first self-portrait drawing earlier in the year.  The day after they finished this detailed portrait using the transparency we asked them to do a second drawing for their board.  The increase in detail was remarkable.