The drawings produced by children have become much simpler over the past 20 years, according to research by the Dutch school inspectorate.

Today’s 11 and 12-year-olds include fewer details and their pictures are more likely to consist of separate objects than an integrated whole, broadcaster RTL said on Thursday. Overall the standard of drawing has gone down, the inspectors say.

School inspectors say they consider the change to reflect social developments, such as digitalization.

At the same time, there are fewer specialist art teachers and art is not considered a priority at teacher training colleges, RTL pointed out.

‘Education today requires a broader approach to art and creativity,’ Rafael van Crimpen, head of the Breitner Academie in Amsterdam, told RTL. ‘Children draw better if they have more time for it. Education is changing with the times and that is reflected in their drawings. And of course, digitalization plays a part.’