How to draw?

I have been volunteering at a primary school art club on wednesdays, and am really enjoying working with children. It is very satisfying when they remember your name and request for you to help them with their work. Recently they have been drawing portraits and today they went on to study the figure. I have been shocked at the childrens' inability to express themselves, simply because their teacher has taught them how to draw in a specific way (sketchy lines and lots of shading..argh!).

We managed to get the children to go back to their roots and draw from imagination or simply from the shapes their eyes can see and here are some of the results.

Far more exciting than perfectly oval shaped heads and triangle outlines for noses ( a technique they have been given.) These guys have character!