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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to think this is a really good drawing for a four year old!

103 replies

Probablyfinebutworried · 04/02/2024 19:23

My friend's daughter is 4 and drew this picture while I was at their house. She explained it's a crocodile with some rocks, and she said that a lion walked across the field and then added some lion footprints at the bottom! AIBU to think this is way advanced for a 4 year old?! My son is 4 and is still drawing people as blobs with limbs coming out of them!

...to think this is a really good drawing for a four year old!
OP posts:
Gia79 · 04/02/2024 22:03

Sarcasm aside, I was actually impressed OP. My niece does not draw like this at 4!

newnam · 04/02/2024 22:05

It's cute but agree that it's quite normal. Some children don't have any interest in drawing of course so perhaps wouldn't do something like this. I think both your child and their friend are within the norms.

Agapornis · 04/02/2024 22:19

The crocodile has six legs Grin
Love it. Are you sure it's a croc and not an insect?!

(Why has no one mentioned the BONUS LEGS yet!)

Sandrine1982 · 04/02/2024 22:23

Gorgeous picture. Xxx

blackpanth · 04/02/2024 22:37

That's awesome x

Original poster
Probablyfinebutworried · 04/02/2024 22:40

Agapornis · 04/02/2024 22:19

The crocodile has six legs Grin
Love it. Are you sure it's a croc and not an insect?!

(Why has no one mentioned the BONUS LEGS yet!)

If you look carefully she drew smaller legs in between the main legs to show the row of legs on the other side. So it's actually a terrifying 12 legged crocodile!!!

OP posts:
Babadook76 · 04/02/2024 22:54

Mine drew this in school for Father’s Day, which would have made them 4 years 9 months. They’re playing hide and seek which is why dads covering his eyes 😂 there are far better artists in the class than my dc 🤷🏼‍♀️

...to think this is a really good drawing for a four year old!
nameshame24 · 04/02/2024 23:20

My DD is 5 nearly 6 and tbf I think this picture is better than what she could do (why do I feel so guilty admitting that? It's not like she will read this!!)

Lesina · 04/02/2024 23:21

It’s a sweet drawing but not Michaelanglo

weegiemum · 04/02/2024 23:24

My dd1 was drawing better than that at age 4.

But she now has a degree from Glasgow School of Art so she's always been quite advanced.

TheOriginalEmu · 04/02/2024 23:26

Babadook76 · 04/02/2024 22:54

Mine drew this in school for Father’s Day, which would have made them 4 years 9 months. They’re playing hide and seek which is why dads covering his eyes 😂 there are far better artists in the class than my dc 🤷🏼‍♀️

I thought daddy was doubly flipping everyone off. Which is definitely what my youngest would have drawn. She liked to give everyone ‘boobies and a Willy’ for fun back then. 😂

hellsBells246 · 04/02/2024 23:33

I think it's great - shows imagination and thought.

wurlycurly · 04/02/2024 23:37

I think it's amazing... Loads of detail!

TheChosenTwo · 04/02/2024 23:46

Brilliant drawing and genuinely more like a croc than my 12yo ds could draw! He hates drawing and has rarely drawn anything unlike his big sisters who would spend hours drawing (and they were very detailed when they drew, still are as young adults). I think it’s probably in the range of being standard but I still think it’s a great drawing!

OneTC · 04/02/2024 23:47

It's probably better than I could do

TheMarzipanDildo · 04/02/2024 23:49

It’s better than the stuff I was drawing at 8 (have evidence) and I’m good at drawing.

SisterAgatha · 04/02/2024 23:53

I have three kids.

My eldest, this is typical of what they could draw at 4. But this is better than what my middle son could draw at four. My daughter however, can and always has been able to draw better than any of us, so she would draw like this before she was 2. Her handwriting is now delicious to look at (she’s 6) but she can’t spell anything 🤣 there is such a range.

Agapornis · 05/02/2024 00:01

Probablyfinebutworried · 04/02/2024 22:40

If you look carefully she drew smaller legs in between the main legs to show the row of legs on the other side. So it's actually a terrifying 12 legged crocodile!!!

Show quote history

A centipede croc! (well, dodeca-pede) She'll be an excellent crocodilian-entomological artist one day.

surreygirl1987 · 05/02/2024 00:03

It is a little bit better than my 5 year old is currently doing, but I would say he's behind. I think the pic is decent, but nothing unusual.

SemperIdem · 05/02/2024 00:06

It’s great - they obviously enjoy being creative and drawing.

Whilst it’s not necessarily “advanced”, it’s better than a lot can do at 4 (or 35 in my severely non-artistic case).

Babla · 05/02/2024 00:11

Haha joke post!

BestBadger · 05/02/2024 00:15

ScarlettDarling · 04/02/2024 19:33

I teach Reception class and there are lots of children who draw like this (and much better) at this age. Of course loads are also doing indistinguishable blobs! It’s well within the ‘normal’ range but is still a lovely picture.

What do you mean by "much better" do you mean how expressive, reflective or representative it is?

Apart from technique and an explicit acknowledgement of art history, I'd say it fulfils as many of the functions of art as you could expect from a four year old.

It's got narrative, theme, colour and form at the bare minimum.

Lemonyyellow · 05/02/2024 00:20

I think it does look like a 4/5 year old drew it but also think it’s fabulous.

urbanbuddha · 05/02/2024 00:21

It’s great! Full of verve and character.

crumblingschools · 05/02/2024 00:45

Her description is great (and her drawing is better than I could do and I am in my 50s)