- Definition
Elaboration is when your child adds extra details like lines, dots, or patterns to their drawings to make them more interesting. It's like adding decorations to make a picture stand out.
Adding polka dots and stripes to a drawing of a shirt is an example of elaboration.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Elaboration is like putting sprinkles, dots, and swirls on a plain cookie to make it fancy.
Ask your child: What little details could you add to this shape to make it more interesting?
Common mix-up: Kids may think a drawing is done after making the main shape. Elaboration is about adding extra details like lines and dots to make the art even more interesting.
Examples
- Drawing wavy lines inside a shape of a fish to look like scales.
- Adding little circles for bubbles coming from a drawn cup.
elaboration is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
