Kids who keep restarting drawings may show more than perfectionism: Psychology
Psychological research suggests that children who repeatedly restart drawings may be experiencing 'perfectionistic concerns' rather than simple perfectionism. While some children strive for excellence, those who become distressed or self-critical when failing to meet their own standards may require parental support to manage their emotional response to mistakes.
Why it matters
Understanding the difference between healthy ambition and maladaptive perfectionism can help parents and educators better support child development.
A child sits down with a sheet of paper and starts drawing. The first attempt does not look quite the way they imagined it. The paper is pushed aside. Another sheet comes out.This time, the eyes are slightly uneven. Start again.A third attempt gets abandoned because one line went wrong. Soon, the child is no longer enjoying the drawing. They are chasing a version that exists only in their head - and getting increasingly upset each time the picture falls short.For parents, this can look like a child who is simply “very particular” or wants everything to be perfect. Sometimes, it is exactly that.
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