Adults often attribute children''s declining confidence and interest in drawing to negative adult messages. Consequently teachers are reluctant to interact with children involved in art activities. Despite this view little research has been undertaken with children to explore the relationship between art confidence and messages. Therefore Rosemary Richards undertook research with 136 four- to nine-year-old New Zealand children in an early childhood centre and primary school that investigated their drawing self-efficacy and the messages they gave and received. Bandura''s (1986) self-efficacy theory and sources of information provided a theoretical framework. Over a three month period the children responded to questionnaires and interviews and were observed while engaged in art activities. This book sets out this research project and its findings. This is likely to be of interest to teachers, parents, researchers and students as they try to make sense of how children experience art and how they might support and extend their children''s art experiences.

Rosemary D. Richards, MEd (1st class honours): Senior Lecturer, School of Arts, Development and Health Education; Massey University, New Zealand. Major research projects: Young children's drawing self-efficacy (New Zealand); Children's perspectives on their art experiences in their homes, preschool and schools (Australia).