Lecture – "What Do Scribbles Have to Do with Self-Confidence?"
The scribble as a mirror to the soul from a developmental perspective.
The lecture provides a fascinating overview of the meanings behind the language of lines and colors, and its healing influence on the psyche of both the child and the adult.
In the lecture, we'll learn how each graphic change in the developmental stages can indicate an emotional change, occurring in a fixed order, naturally, and at the right time.
From this understanding, we'll gain tools to look at drawings with fresh eyes and respond with acceptance and curiosity, in a way that helps parents, educators, and therapists encourage self-confidence, creativity, and the ability for expression and communication.
The lecture is accompanied by a presentation with demonstrations (also adapted for Zoom) and an experiential activity incorporating diverse materials, the Focusing method, and "Focus for the Soul" cards, where we also discover how the emotional significance of children's drawing development mirrors the emotional significance of adult drawings.
Creative Examples from the Workshop
Work combining natural materials inspired by the scribble on the card
Work on a shirt inspired by "Focus for the Soul" cards
Collage inspired by a workshop card
Professional Recommendation
I participated several times in Michal Bogin's lecture and workshop. As an arts therapist working with children, the lecture and workshop opened a new window into the child's soul for me. Looking at the primary forms allows me to observe children drawing in therapy without judgment, with curiosity and joy, and to help children find their way freely and playfully toward development.
In meetings with parents, the knowledge I gained from Michal helps me focus my insights, and often connects parents to the strengths and uniqueness of their child.
Personally, I have used the workshop and "Focus for the Soul" cards more than once to examine personal-professional issues that concern me. Each time I surprised myself! The combination of observing the simple forms that touch the foundations of the soul, together with Michal's sensitive guidance, allowed me to explore these topics with creativity, enjoyment, and curiosity — and to quickly arrive at new and refreshing insights.
Highly recommended — the lecture and workshop for parents, therapists, educators, and anyone curious who seeks a creative and surprising window into themselves.
Galila Tavtznikov Oren – Drama therapist, senior lecturer and supervisor
Hebrew Book Week in Hamburg – June 2025
As part of Hebrew Book Week in Germany (June 2025), I presented the lecture "What Do Scribbles Have to Do with Self-Confidence?" — how understanding the meaning of scribbles and primary forms helps boost self-confidence, communication, and the encouragement of the child's creativity.
Entrance to Book Week in Hamburg
A moment from the lecture: live demonstrations and a thought-provoking discussion with participants
Presenting the book "Please Don't Disturb, I'm Drawing"
Workshop: Personal Development Through Art
If you want to discover what shapes and colors reveal about you, and how it helps with personal development — you're welcome to sign up for a workshop.
Participant Feedback from the Workshops
"I came to try and was surprised to find how good drawing made me feel. I found a new and different place within myself."
"The workshop was an experience that gave me strength, allowed me to experiment and bring to life ideas that were inside me, and helped me open blocked patterns."
What's the difference between individual therapy and a personal development workshop?
What characterizes the workshops is working in a group: work that invites great interest, joy, and support, and allows learning and enrichment from the variety of solutions and styles in the group. Learning from the group is usually very significant.
The workshops, like individual therapy, are based on creating with diverse materials and encourage authentic, personal work in a very supportive atmosphere. At the end of the session, there is an opportunity for shared observation and discussion of the works. The uniqueness of group work is the social fabric, learning from others, learning about myself from the group, and the joy of working together…
In individual therapy, there is greater focus on personal and intimate acquaintance through artwork and conversations… Each person suits a different style of work, and all are blessed.