Know Your Child’s Personality Through The Tree Test

The tree test is a technique that can give us an orientation about the personality of our child, but it never replaces the evaluation of a professional.

With the tree test, you can find out what your child’s personality is like. Children express their emotions and what they feel better through drawing  than with words. When you give them paper and colors, they usually capture everything that comes to mind on paper.

Often, psychologists use this type of test to know or evaluate if the little one may have a problem. They are called “projective tests”, with which we evaluate the personality. These can be used in both children and adults. Do you want to know what this tree test consists of and how can it be interpreted?  Keep reading!

The tree test to help us get to know our son

It is clear that a drawing is not going to tell us what our son is 100% like, but it can give us information about some of his personality traits that we already know, or not, and also if he is going through a difficult time at the emotional.

This technique is simple to apply and widely used in psychology consultations, both for children and adults. Do you want to know what this technique is like?

The tree test: what is it like and how to use it?

Surely there are things about your innermost “I” that you do not know, because, sometimes, not even we ourselves are capable of knowing ourselves completely. This technique is very simple to perform, it is quick to do and can provide information about our subconscious. How can we put it into practice?

1. The first thing we have to do is prepare a blank sheet of paper, a pencil and some colored pencils (colors are important).
2. Once we have the material ready, we ask the child (better from 5-6 years old) to draw a tree for us ; We will not give you more information, just make us that drawing. If he asks how you want it, you tell him how he wants it. We should not give you more information.
3. Now,  let me take the time I need ; some are faster and some are slower, some have more details and others less. Do not rush it.

How can we interpret the test of the tree of our son?

Have you finished your tree yet? Well, now, it’s time to analyze it; it can give us a lot of information about our little one.

I usually

The ground in these projective techniques represents contact with the child’s reality. If it is not present, it can indicate to us that the little one feels insecure. Despite this, it is important that we know that children under 9 years old do not draw the floor, and that does not mean that there is a problem.

• When he draws the ground, he tells us that he is a confident child, with self-confidence.
• If the floor is drawn on straight lines, it indicates that he is a child with clear ideas and very emotionally stable.
• If it is wavy, it can indicate a high sensitivity  and that you always try to avoid confrontations.
• When he draws him on a mountain, he would be telling us that he is a child who likes to be a protagonist and attract the attention of others.

Estate

The roots come to reflect the affections of the little one, since roots are the sustenance of the tree and what helps them to sustain themselves. These roots represent the “it”, which is the most hidden part of all of us.

• If they are omitted, it may indicate that the little one is feeling weak or afraid of the world.
• If they are drawn, it would indicate that there is a good emotional development, the child feels loved and accepted.
• If you have drawn it with many roots, it would indicate that you have a positive and secure attachment.

We must bear in mind that many children under the age of 9 do not draw roots, and this does not indicate that they have a problem.

Trunk

The trunk is associated with personal identity  since it is one of the most important elements of the tree.

• If the trunk is thin, with irregular lines, it can indicate that it is a fearful and suggestible child.

• If you have holes, it would indicate that you have an emotional void.
• If the trunk is thick, with firm lines, it tells us that it is a child with a strong personality and character, with good self-control and discipline.
• Likewise, if the trunk is too wide, it can indicate a tendency to aggressiveness, narcissistic traits and stubbornness.
  

Cup and branches

The crown and the branches are the upper parts of the tree, the ones that are most visible and, therefore, they represent the child’s relationship with the outside, other people, family, friends and also their aspirations. As before, when children are younger, they may not draw the branches, because they do not have that level of detail when drawing.

• Branches facing upwards would indicate an optimistic child and, if you draw them downwards, they may indicate that they tend to be pessimistic.

• If the crown and branches are made with great precision and detail, it tells us that he is a perfectionist and creative person.
• If it is a large cup, it would indicate that it is an outgoing child, while if it is very small with respect to the trunk, it would indicate that it is a more introverted child.
• Adding fruit to the tree often suggests that the little one has a generous and sociable personality.

Clarification on the tree test

This article on the tree test is informative so that parents can help them discover or suspect some emotional problems that their child may have, but it does not offer any diagnosis or is valid, unless it is used by a professional in conjunction with other tools to be able to assess the whole of the child and detect, thus, if there really is a problem.

It should always be a specialist who evaluates the child globally, if necessary. For parents, this test is simply to guide and learn about aspects of the children’s personality that they may not know.