Why Invent a Flag works

Invent a Flag gives the child a concrete way to practice creative choice and visible transformation once they begin by learning to choose two main colors and decide what each represents. Design a flag that communicates an imaginary group through a small number of colors and symbols. The next test is whether that experience helps when they are asked to draw one large central symbol that can be recognized from far away.

Set up — Choose two main colors and decide what each represents

Prepare paper before the child is asked to choose two main colors and decide what each represents. Arrange the space so the instruction to choose two main colors and decide what each represents can happen cleanly before the child is asked to draw one large central symbol that can be recognized from far away. Use age-appropriate art materials and supervise cutting, small parts, or messy media as needed during that setup.

Step 2 — Draw one large central symbol that can be recognized from far away

Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to draw one large central symbol that can be recognized from far away. If needed, return to the earlier step to choose two main colors and decide what each represents before asking them to add one stripe, border or smaller supporting symbol.

Step 3 — Add one stripe, border or smaller supporting symbol

Keep the pace slow while the child tries to add one stripe, border or smaller supporting symbol. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to hold the flag at arm’s length and check what is noticed first.

Step 4 — Hold the flag at arm’s length and check what is noticed first

Treat the attempt to hold the flag at arm’s length and check what is noticed first as a checkpoint between the earlier step to add one stripe, border or smaller supporting symbol and the coming step to simplify any detail that competes with the main symbol. A perfect answer is not required.

Step 5 — Simplify any detail that competes with the main symbol

After completing the instruction to simplify any detail that competes with the main symbol, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to hold the flag at arm’s length and check what is noticed first. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to simplify any detail that competes with the main symbol.

What to notice before Simplify any detail that competes with the main…

Watch what happens after the child is asked to add one stripe, border or smaller supporting symbol. A pause, correction, or question can be useful evidence of which visual decision changes the composition, texture, shape, or story before they continue to hold the flag at arm’s length and check what is noticed first.

Make Add one stripe, border or smaller supporting… easier or harder

Keep difficulty tied to the decision around hold the flag at arm’s length and check what is noticed first. First, limit the materials and make one visual choice at a time; later, add one constraint about shape, placement, pattern, or storytelling, while preserving the reason the child eventually has to simplify any detail that competes with the main symbol.

Finish after Simplify any detail that competes with the main…

Simplify any detail that competes with the main symbol. Finish the activity there rather than repeating the same successful cycle. Continue with a different idea from the activity search or the activity generator.