Thank you both for your advice
I don't have a child of my own so getting her to come over for a play date would be hard (hopefully my friend and fellow guider can help with that part) but I'll start asking her some questions when I see her. My only concern is that was what she wants and I would perpetuate that behavior.
You make an excellent point RockRose about if it were a boy we wouldn't think anything of it, and I definitely do not want to gender stereotype.
I'm really interested in children's drawings and this one seems like it could go either way.
Honestly, if it were a boy doing this - and there were no other signs that were a concern - I wouldn't think a thing about it. Boys often like to gross people out at that age.
I wonder if she's watching zombie stuff? Does she have older siblings that would be watching something more appropriate for them and not for her?
Hi there and welcome to the forum. You know, I'm not sure. I am sorry to hear that she is drawing such things and of herself no less. You've told her mom which is good. Are you two friendly? Can you ask her how she is doing? Is your daughter friends of hers? Could you have her to your house for a play date?? I would try to take her under your wing a bit. And one of the ways that child care professionals go about checking on a child is to casually look for bruises, ask about the people in their life and not the responses, etc. Even if she is not being abused, perhaps something has happened to create this negative self hate/ destructive picture. Is there anyone at the school that you can casually ask what they think without naming names?