It’s all in the eye of the beholder
One learns, in this business, to make no assumptions. None. Adult perceptions are not toddler perceptions. Bear that in mind as you gaze upon Anna’s artwork:
Completed only 20 minutes ago, and I just had to share it with you. Because I am generous that way. I am also UNflappable. Not a tremor of the voice, not a single snigger escaped me as I spoke to her…
“Well, now. That’s an interesting picture, Anna. Can you tell me about it?”
(‘Can you tell me about it?’ The all-purpose, non-judgmental, non-directive kids-art question. And said, I might point out, in a quiet, gently enquiring tone of voice.)
“It’s my new nightie. It has a fluffy thing at the bottom, lots of pieces of shiny blue dangling stuff.”
“I think that’s called a ‘fringe’.”
“Yes. That’s right. It has a fringe at the bottom. And the shoulders are big and puffy.”
Fringe at the bottom? Big, puffy shoulders? Aha! I was looking at it upside-down!
It’s a nightie! With a fringe and puffed sleeves. Of course!
What else could it possibly be?
What a laugh. Our Unit’s EA is an artist, and I was talking to him about one piece of his art that has phallic overtones. He disagreed, but wasn’t insulted. He made a smart comment about where my mind was. I just showed him this picture and he is ROFLHAO..
No ‘overtones’ to this picture. Nuh-uh.
Snigger…
And you should have heard her mother snigger at the end of the day…
’Can you tell me about it?’
Heehee, I can just imagine how perfectly modulated your voice would be as you posed this question 🙂
Perfectly. Because if you tip your hand, they don’t say the next thing — and that would scupper my blogging, wouldn’t it?
Oh man.
No, no. It’s a nightie. Weren’t you listening?
Wow… it’s nearly… profound. And completely hilarious!
doesn’t always work though – LMD drew a picture of mummy a few weeks ago. It was a typical 4 yr old’s picture – a head with a face and several limbs sticking out, with various coloured in bits to represent whatever. So I asked that she “tell me about it”.
“This is mummy’s head. And this is mummy’s arm, and her other arm, and her other arm”
“O-kaaaay, three arms. That’s nice. and what is this” I innocently asked of what seemed to be a scribbled beard on my chin.
“that’s mummy’s hairy ‘gina”
Thanks LMD!!
Thats just too funny!! I have come across many of those kinds of drawings. LMAO
To Juggling Mother – Oh my…I’m laughing so hard I’m crying.
Reminds me of the time Daughter accidentally walked in on Daddy coming out of the shower when she was about 4 or 5.
“Wow, Daddy has a really big ‘gina’!”
I’m no professional, so not only did I snigger but I nearly peed myself from laughing so hard.
Wow!
A nightie!
Could of fooled me.
Arlene