ABSTRACT
Children's capacities for sublimation are provided for by their desire to make reparation to phantasized damaged parents, usually mothers. Excessive anxiety, a sadistic superego and a diminution of ego function lead to reduced capacity for symbol formation, with a subsequent deterioration in reparation and sublimation. The acceptability of the child's reparation gifts paves the way for academic information to be used in the sublimation process. Between the ages of four to six, children sublimate their primitive desires and try to behave according to the rules of their society. When children work with art materials, they can formulate the symbolism that is the basis of sublimation. Children use information about one set of art materials, apply their knowledge to other materials and develop creative and ingenious uses of materials. Sometimes children have difficulty in handling anxiety, because of internal stress or external demands.
