- Definition
Proportion is about how different parts of something relate to each other in terms of size or amount, like making sure a drawing's head isn't too big for its body.
In a drawing of a face, the eyes are in proportion when they are not too big or too small for the head.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Proportion is like building a person out of playdough — you want the head, arms, and legs to look the right size for the body.
Ask your child: If we draw a person, how can we make their head look the right size?
Common mix-up: Kids may think proportion is just about drawing things big or small. It's actually about how the sizes of different parts look when they are together in the same picture.
Examples
- Making sure a person's arms are not drawn longer than their legs.
- Drawing a car with wheels that are the right size for the body of the car.
proportion 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 ↗
