From Cave Drawings to Symbols and Icons

Symbols and icons shows up everywhere once you start looking for it, and understanding how it works helps kids become both better communicators and more thoughtful viewers.

How Symbols And Icons Connects To Drawing And Learning

Once symbols and icons is turned into something visual and hands-on, it tends to click faster and stick longer than the same idea explained in words alone.

Practical Ways To Explore It

• Go on a scavenger hunt around the house or neighborhood spotting examples of symbols and icons.
• Design a simple, original example of symbols and icons to communicate an idea of your own.

Tips

• Start with examples that are already part of a child's everyday world, like signs or app icons.
• Encourage simple, original designs over copying existing examples exactly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is symbols and icons worth exploring with kids?

Symbols and icons is a big part of how information gets shared today, and understanding it helps kids both communicate ideas and interpret the world around them.

What's an easy way to introduce symbols and icons?

Pointing out everyday examples of symbols and icons, like signs or icons, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to start the conversation.

For more along the same lines, take a look at How Maps and Wayfinding Symbols Communicate Ideas.

Conclusion

Once kids start noticing symbols and icons in the world around them, it's hard for them to stop — which makes it a genuinely fun concept to explore.