25 Montessori Art Materials for Early Childhood Classroom

montessori early childhood art materials

It’s back-to-school season, and I’m sure you all are in the middle of shopping for new materials for your classroom. While you’re out finishing up your shopping, make sure you’re picking up the right and best Montessori art materials for early childhood. There are a ton of products and wonderful things to work with, I’d encourage you to explore and purchase anything that inspires you.

25 Montessori Art Materials for Early Childhood Classroom

Choosing the Most Appropriate Art Materials for Early Childhood

There are so many awesome tools and supplies, but not all of them will be appropriate for an early childhood classroom.

The reason why some art supplies and materials are not suitable for this age group is because early childhood students are in what I identify as the Young Exploratory Phase™. This means they make and create by exploratory and discovery play. Children in these beginning years do not understand the placement of visual arts, and are very curious about different mediums; they’re still working through gross-to-fine motor abilities and are often still putting objects in their mouths. So it’s important to choose the right safe mediums and materials as an introduction to visual arts as they experiment and learn from the results they create.

I’ve met thousands of teachers all over the world who want to start teaching art in their classroom, but they don’t know where to start or what materials they need. It’s taken me years to amass my own art material collection, so I can understand why trying to purchase the right art material for a classroom all at once can be overwhelming—especially if you have no idea where to start.

When you’re teaching art to early childhood Montessori students, you can get by with just a few basic materials. It’s just important to be smart and strategic in purchasing those materials. I’d encourage you to start buying a few items from the list below to get you started, then adding to it as the year goes on and you start to see your students grow in excitement and interest!

montessori art materials for early childhood toddler, 3-6 casa house

Where to Start: Which Montessori Art Materials for Early Childhood to Purchase First

I typically teach visual art within five domains. If you’re really on a budget when you’re shopping for back-to-school art materials, start with purchasing materials for just one domain, then build from there. For instance, you can create dozens of art lessons using just a few essential materials from the painting domain. (If you’re looking for other money-saving tips, read this blog.)

One Step Further (Download My Montessori Art Materials for Early Childhood List!)

Here’s the thing with early childhood art: it needs to be taught specifically for early childhood students using art materials that are designed or appropriate for them. Here’s a list I’ve curated based on my years of experience teaching art to early childhood, 3 to 6 year-old, students. Every art material listed here is suitable for their age group and will make introducing art concepts and lessons to them much easier, account for control of error, and result in less (to zero) mess in your classroom!

You can download 25 Montessori Art Materials to Have in Your Early Childhood Classroom by clicking here.

Montessori Art Toddler, early childhood, 3-6

A Short Cut Just for You – Buy Guide Book

Having the right art material for your early childhood classroom is just the first step. If you want more information on how to use each material, how to set up an art shelf with the materials, and how to teach lessons that actually help early childhood students learn art (YES, they can learn art at that early of an age!) then I have some good news for you!

I’m currently selling my brand new, E arly Childhood Art Guide . It includes everything you need to know to successfully bring art lessons into your early childhood classroom—without the stress. I go into more detail about art materials (such as how to use them and where to find them), give you step-by-step art presentations, and a ton of other valuable information that makes teaching art and setting up your shelf so much easier. And, right now, you can order yours today!, so don’t miss out!

Early Childhood Art Guide

Visual Arts Teaching Guide
for 13 Months – 6 Years Old

This book includes:
✅ My proprietary art teaching method
✅ The proper and complete list of art materials
✅ A guide for staging and setting up a successful art environment
✅ Tips and art lesson ideas for early childhood
✅ A convenient three-ring binder presentation

Buy Guide Now!

No part of this blog may be used or be reproduced in any manner whatsoever including reproducing, publishing, performing, and making any adaptions of the work – including translation into another foreign language without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Nature of Art® Publishing P.O. Box 443 Solana Beach, California 92075.

August 1, 2019February 1, 2020

Visit a Museum this Summer | Montessori

montessori art, visit a museum to learn how to teach kids art

There are still a few more weeks until you have to go back to school, and if you’re not sunning on a far-off island like me (just kidding!) then I recommend using your time off to visit a museum. They’re not just for Montessori field trips!

You can probably guess that art museums are my favorite to spend a day in, but there is inspiration to be found no matter where you go! Here are 10 reasons I think everyone—not just students or Montessori teachers—should visit a museum this summer.

1. They’re fun!

Believe it or not, museums can be fun! I personally think they’re a really enjoyable way to spend a day. Don’t be fooled into thinking a history, science, or even art museum will be boring; even a museum that focuses on a “boring” subject can have fascinating exhibits you’ll want to spend hours in. Plus, think of all the unique and unusual museums around the country; there’s the Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia in California, UFO Museum & Research Center in New Mexico, Museum of Bad Art in Massachusetts—there’s even a Museum of Weird in Austin! If you explore your options, I guarantee you’ll have a fun time exploring and learning!

2. It’s a chance to support the arts.

One of the best ways to ensure museums stay in business is by keeping them in business! The more we patronize museums, the more we show the next generation how important they are. I probably don’t need to tell you that art programs are being eliminated in schools all around the country, and kids need a way to be exposed to the arts. (By the way, another great way to introduce kids to art is by bringing art lessons into your classroom! Click here to learn how.)

3. Hello, staycation!

When you travel, you probably visit a few museums, right? How often do you seek out the ones in your neighborhood though? Checking out a museum where you live can make you feel like you’re on a mini vacation.

4. Find some peace and quiet—while enjoying some AC.

Usually, quietness is encouraged at museums. They offer a relaxing (and cool) atmosphere to decompress when life gets stressful. You can practice mindfulness while staring at paintings and contemplating their meanings.

5. Get inspired!

The word “muse” is a part of “museum” for a reason—they’re places of inspiration! Visiting a museum can get your creative juices flowing. Viewing the work of artists and innovators can stimulate new ideas and stir your imagination.

6. Gain new perspectives and open your mind.

Museums are created to be learning environments. They provide in-depth information on their subject and give you the tools to form your own experiences based on what you learn. In walking through the different exhibits, you might be prompted to change your perspective. Maybe you’ll learn something new about a historical event or gain insight to put yourself in an artist’s shoes, and see things in a new light.

Visit a Museum this Summer | Montessori Art

7. Network with like-minded people.

Many museums host lectures and networking events for guests to meet and mingle. Going to one of these can give you the opportunity to meet like-minded people while learning about something you love and having a fun night out.

8. It’s a new experience you’ll feel better about.

Did you know that experiences—not material things—make you happier? There have been loads of scientific studies that support this; apparently, this happens because experiences provide positive personal reinterpretations over time, so you relive the positive experience (forgetting any negative parts) over and over again. So, why not make yourself feel happy with a museum experience? It’ll make you happier in the long run. 🙂

9. They can help you become a better teacher.

If you find an awesome museum on your own, think of how excited your students will be to visit once school starts! What’s more, it can give you inspiration for your lessons. A science museum may provide you with new information you can add to the Great Lessons, a history museum can give you new insight on past events, and an art museum might spark some new ideas for art projects in your classroom!

Visit a Museum this Summer | Montessori history and culture study

10. Museums support cultural appreciation.

One of the most important things about supporting art literacy is its connection to social, historical, and cultural contexts. Museums give you tools like artifacts, exhibits, and stories to learn from. Imagine the new exciting ways you can relate cultural stories to your students and make learning across different subjects fun and engaging. You might even get some ideas for your classroom inspiration gallery. Just recently, I found a Native American Museum here in San Diego, and I’m so excited to visit and come up with new art lessons for this coming fall. I’m planning my visit next week!

How to Find a Museum in Your Area & Make a Day of It

You might know of the larger museums in your area—for example, San Diego has Balboa Park, which is home to 17 different museums—but there are always a few unexpected ones that might spark your interest. Museums USA helps you find museums in your area (if you live in the United States); it even shares upcoming events. As you look for museums, research free entry days! Most metropolitan cities offer free museum days throughout the year.

Some cities have historical preservation societies which support all the museums around them. Your local library will have a list of museums in your area, so you can look them up based on your interest: science, national/historical, animal, botanical, nature, insect, or specialty collections.

(If you can’t make it out to a local museum, then grab some iced coffee and visit one online from your own home; some museums offer virtual tours!)

I wrote a blog post last year about how to take your students to a museum (without them getting bored or you getting stressed). But this museum trip is all about you. So, how do you plan a trip for yourself?

I recommend setting aside at least two hours. Depending on your mood, you might want to head out alone or invite a friend to join you. Once you find the museum that tickles your fancy, get your ticket (you’ll sometimes find deals online if you purchase your ticket in advance). When you get there, check out a museum map, and look for exhibits that you find intriguing, and don’t feel guilty for skipping exhibits you have no interest in. Make a day out of it and stop by the museum’s cafe (some might even have a bar), and reflect on all the cool, interesting, exciting things you’ve seen.

Most large museums have teacher education programs that are worth attending. You can also take a docent tour; they’ll walk you through the exhibits and share their knowledge. If you like hearing behind-the-scenes type stories, or if you’re a more auditory learner, this might make your museum trip engaging.

I do frequent museums throughout the year, but it’s not only because I’m artful, I also learn so much! I enjoy the education department programming offered to teachers. Sometimes teachers ask me what I should be look at in museums or learn. Well the education programs are wonderful in teaching you as a teacher how to view art, and how to use art language with your students, and what signifaces of each collection and why it’s important for humanity to understand. There filled with tons of literature you can use as a tool.

Hooked on Art, Yet? Bring It Into Your Classroom with This Special Summer Discount!

As a teacher, your education never stops, and I celebrate all that you do to teach and inspire young minds. That’s why I’m offering a special summer discount on my new online course Art Teaching Blueprint. It’s composed of seven lectures designed to teach you how kids learn art and help you start your own art program in your classroom. Want the discount plus a few very special bonuses? Email me at SpramaniElaun@gmail.com with the subject line: Montessori teacher summer enrollment special!

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3 to 6 Art – Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Resources

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The Phases of Art Development is a quick digital course that explains how art making can help students develop their creativity, fine-motor skills, and focus. More importantly, I share what types of projects students at every age are capable of completing safely, and without making a mess.

Best of all—it’s free! To sign up for the course, click here.

July 26, 2019November 10, 2024

Montessori Teacher: 5 Back-to-School Art Supply Savings Tips

I know how difficult it can be to fund a classroom, as a homeschool mommy, buying supplies and materials for my children could get expensive. Thankfully, now, with my years of experience in teaching art to students (and buying and supplying all kinds of materials), I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks for saving money on back-to-school art supplies. Creating a distinctive art-making environment for your students that supports exploration and choice IS possible on a small budget!

In this blog, I’m sharing five creative ways to save money, without compromising quality, while you buy your art supplies for teaching and engaging art lessons this coming school year. As an art teacher and Montessori art trainer, I really think these tips will get you started on the right tack for this new year!

5 Tips for Saving Money on Art Supplies:

1. Buy High-Quality Montessori Mediums & Materials

Buying quality materials is important because you want kids to be successful and enjoy the creation process. Poor quality items can stifle a child’s creativity and can even discourage their artistic passion, making them want to give up on art altogether!

Poor quality Montessori art materials can be bad paint brushes that fall apart, paints that don’t mix properly into secondary colors, or cheap paper that isn’t designed to absorb watercolor paints and rips easily. Buying cheap may seem like a smart money-saving move, but high-quality art products will always be the better option because they will last longer, sometimes even beyond a single school year—and you can buy them without spending tons of money!

You don’t have to purchase everything all at once; start off slowly. Invest in just one or two mediums to use in your classroom for the first few months of school, then add more later. For example, purchase quality watercolor paints, watercolor paper, and paintbrushes for the first month of school. Your students can explore and create lots of paintings with this one medium. The next month, buy premium color pencils and drawing paper, then, the following month, add another medium such as clay or crafting material. You can literally teach hundreds of lessons with a single mediums, simply by changing the subject (and inspiration gallery) each week.

5 Back-to-School Art Supply Savings Tips

2. Cut Art Supplies in Halves & Quarters

Cutting art supplies down to smaller portions works well when you’re teaching a large group. I usually do this with paper and mediums like crayons and oil pastels. It’s a way to multiply your supplies without needing to buy more sets. This is one of the ways to make high-quality art material seem cheaper, since you’re getting more bang for your buck!

Here’s an example of what I mean: you can buy one dry watercolor painting set that one student can work on, or you can cut up the paper into halves or quarters and up to four kids can enjoy the art project at the same time.

I go a little more in depth with this tip in my book Introducing Visual Arts to The Montessori Classroom, under the art supply chapter. I also share my art-teacher insight as to why this is very important (even beyond helping you save money).

3. Know Which Art Supplies to Splurge and Save On

There are a couple of mediums I recommend you save money; with these, you can buy a cheaper grade and it will not affect your students’ art making results. I recommend spluring on art material like quality watercolor paper, paintbrushes, smooth drawing paper, primary paint colors, dry watercolor paint sets, and watercolor crayons—these will go a long way and last a long time. However, go ahead and save your money on these items (which you can likely find in a hobby or craft store):

Oil pastels
Soft pastels
Colored pencils
Clay
Crayons
Glue
Markers

4. Take Advantage of Back-to-School Discounts for Teachers

Teacher discounts are everywhere, even online, so don’t forget to use them! Almost every major craft and art store offers teacher discounts. (This article lists more than 80 stores that offer teacher discounts!) Stores know teachers have to buy in bulk, so they’ll sometimes offer special wholesale pricing on large purchases.

If you don’t see anything posted in an ad or in-store, ask about a discount anyway. I remember one time I asked a craft store, they had a teacher discount, plus a special program for something I buy in bulk regularly! 🙂 Don’t be afraid to ask!

My kids-friendly, eco-friendly online art supply store www.store.EcoKidsArt.com has a 20% teacher discount through the end of August, plus free shipping within the U.S. Use this Coupon Code: 786Orange when you check out online.

5. Ask Parents for Help With an Art Supply Wishlist

Here’s a tip I really want you to do every year at the beginning of school: send out an art supply wishlist to your students’ parents. It will help you decide what art mediums you really want to introduce to your students, without the constraints of your school’s budget. It’s also a way to inform and engage your students’ parents with what their children will be learning in art during the coming school year.

Montessori Teacher: 5 Back-to-School Art Supply

Send this wishlist letter out the first week of school. You will find that there will be a handful of parents who would love to donate or be of some help to get the school year off to a good start. Give them a wish list of premium stuff like watercolor paper pads, paintbrushes, and palettes. I talk to thousands of parents every year, and so many of them tell me they wish their school would support more art making in the classroom. I promise there’s going to be a few parents that will be excited to support you. You can never have enough quality art supplies!

Bonus: Save By Creating with Recycled, Used, or Found Natural Items

I’ve come up with time-tested, low-cost ways to teach painting skills. Plenty of painting practice and color mixing experiences can be achieved by altering paint surfaces like using recycled or found items in nature. Get scrappy by using these types of materials to paint on rather than buying new items for each paint project. This list of cheap, found materials (plus other money-saving tips) can be found in my book, Kids Painting:

Rocks
Sticks and twigs
Wood scraps
Large butcher block paper
Cardboard boxes and cereal boxes.
Paper rolls
Cheap fabric rolls (cut into mini paint canvases)
Egg cartons
Old CDs
Large seed pods
Pinecones
Seashells

If you would like to learn more about setting up for more art making in your classroom you can order my digital or paperback book, Introducing Visual Arts to The Montessori Classroom, which has dozens of art lesson ideas and art supply advice. You can also check out this blog post: 10 Items to Include in your Montessori Art Shelf.

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Painting
Drawing
Color Theory
Clay Modeling

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July 18, 2019November 6, 2024

How to Bring Art, Beauty, and Relaxation into YOUR Space This Summer

If you’re not fortunate enough to travel to far-off, exotic places this summer, then, chances are, your home is your oasis for the next couple months. I love summer! It’s a time to relax and enjoy colorful sunsets, refreshing libations, and gorgeous warm days.

If you’re anything like me, you tend to celebrate a new season by (slightly) redecorating your house. I love incorporating brighter works of art or fresh flowers in the summertime—it makes me feel like I’m on a little holiday every day. And you know what, Montessori teachers need vacay vibes and beautiful spaces too!

I can’t tell you how excited I got planning this blog!

First of all, hats off to you for spending another year in the classroom supporting our future young minds! I want you to really take stock in how lucky parents are for having you working with their children all day (you Montessori-at-home folks too!). I’ve seen the beautiful, inspiring spaces you create for your students.

And that brings me to why I’m writing this blog.

I know if you’re an educator, you have a soft heart and you put everyone first…right?!

I’m a mom of two—a teen and a young adult— and still I worry about them first. But, you know what I’ve learned as they’ve gotten older? It’s like the emergency presentation on planes, you’ve got to put your own oxygen mask on before helping someone else with theirs. In order to do your best in taking care of others—your students, and your own family too—you have to take care of yourself first. And, what better time than summer break to give yourself a little TLC?

Art making is relaxing and an excellent form of emotional therapy. These benefits aren’t just for kids; art can help you unwind too.

So I want to share some lovely ideas to help you put yourself—and your space—first. Doing little things to bring beauty into your home gives you the chance to relax, be creative, and start feeling those carefree, summertime vibes.

Here’s a roundup of fun, easy, gorgeous ideas that you can do to make your home a creative haven—even if you don’t consider yourself a crafty person. Click and follow the links for more instructions and inspiration…now, dig in!

How to Bring Art, Beauty, and Relaxation into YOUR Space This Summer

Make a Succulent Garden this summer

Succulents are still a huge home trend, and it makes sense—they’re very chic, very versatile (there are so many varieties), and very easy to take care of. Here’s a guide to making your own terrarium to fit your home’s style.

Organize Your Closet Space

Time to achieve your own closet goals! I dream about having a gorgeous, Instagram-worthy closet all the time. This link goes back to a great article with advice and practical tips from a celebrity closet designer to help you get there.

Press and Keep Your Flowers and Memories

If you’ve been on this blog before, you know how much I love nature! This decor idea brings bits of nature into your home in a way that’ll help preserve your memories too. If you don’t have anything to work with yet, keep an eye out for fallen leaves or flowers next time you’re on a summer adventure out in the wild.

Peg Your Walls This Summer

You know how I said I like changing up my space a bit with every new season? This wall peg idea will make is so much easier! I can’t wait to give it a try in my home office.

Display Your Baskets Artfully

I love this idea, I’m always admiring and using baskets in my art classroom, but never keep the beautiful works of art for myself. I love buying baskets when I travel or peruse yard sales, so I think I’m going to try this idea this summer too.

Create a Personalized Ring Dish

I’m excited to try this one out too. I’ve been following their A Beautiful Mess for years, and I love their ideas! This ring dish can be personalized for your home, or it makes a great, meaningful gift too!

Become Your Own Barista

Save money this summer by learning how to make your own Starbucks drinks at home! Of course, running into a coffee shop might be a lot easier, but this way, you can add special touches to make it your own then put it in a beautiful, eco-friendly glass and style it to feel luxurious.

Catch Up On Summer Reading

Once you’ve added these special touches to your home, cozy up and catch up on some reading. I created a summer reading list full of fun and inspiring books, take a look and let me know which one you choose to read!

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Get step-by-step art curriculum to teach visual arts. Check out our 4 art curriculums:
Painting
Drawing
Color Theory
Clay Modeling

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July 11, 2019January 29, 2020

My 2019 Summer Reading Book List

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on some reading and dig into those books that have been sitting on our shelves, right? You can hole up on your couch or head out to the beach and just spend the entire day reading—completely guilt free! So, in celebration of our chance to flip through hundreds and hundreds of pages in the next couple months, here’s my 2019 summer reading list to kick things off!

If any of these books intrigue you (or if you’ve already read one), or if you have another book that you absolutely love, let me know in the comments or on Facebook! I’ll be posting what you share on social next week!

Now, let’s all get to reading! 🙂

1. Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

This is a follow up to the NYT bestseller Girl, Wash Your Face. I love it because it’s a fun, witty, empowering motivational book that urges us women to stop apologizing for our desires, goals, and aspirations. More than that, she presents strategies for pursuing our visions and building our confidence.

2. The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St Clair

The Secret Lives of Color tells the unusual stories of 75 fascinating shades, dyes, and hues. There’s a brown shade that changed the way battles were fought, a very particular hue that defined Picasso’s blue period, and ideas like “scarlet women” and “imperial purple”—you’ll be surprised by what a prominent role color plays into human culture and history. It’s so fascinating!

My 2019 Summer Reading Book List

3. Let’s Make Ramen!: A Comic Book Cookbook by Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan

My latest food obsession has been with ramen. I’m super lucky to be living in San Diego and surrounded by a ton of amazing places! As much as I appreciate eating ramen, I also appreciate this super creative and fun cookbook idea! Not only is it beautifully illustrated, it also includes actual recipes you can try at home.

4. It All Comes Back to You by Beth Duke

This fictional piece creatively alternates chapters between Veronica “Ronni” Johnson, licensed practical nurse and aspiring writer, and Violet, a woman living in an assisted living home. When Violet passes, she leaves Ronni a generous gift, as long as she writes a book about her life within one year. It’s warm, sad, funny, uplifting, and playful enough for a great summer read.

My 2019 Summer Reading Book List

My 2019 Summer Reading List for teachers

5. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

This is an unforgettable memoir about a young girl who goes on a quest for an education. Born to survivalist family in the mountains of Idaho, Tara was never given a proper education. When she sees that her brother was able to get into college, she leaves her family, steps into a real classroom for the first time at age 17, and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University. Oprah Magazine calls it a “coming-of-age memoir” and I think it really shows the beauty and importance of education.

6. Rules for Visiting: A Novel by Jessica Francis Kane

Rules for Visiting is all about a woman’s journey to reconnect with friends. May Attaway realizes she’s become more and more secluded—surrounded by plants and oblivious to the outside world—but once she’s granted a long leave from work, she decides to reconnect with four of her once-close friends, going beyond the digital, seemingly-perfect smokescreen of social media and into their very real, sometimes messy, lives.

My 2019 Summer Reading List modern decor

7. Bohemian Modern by Emily Henson

I’m a bit of a bohemian at heart and I love pulling together beautiful inspirational home decor ideas. This book brings those two joys together perfectly, exploring all the elements that make a home eclectic and colorful.

Designer Spramani Elaun loves the hohemian modern look — Bohemian Modern Look

Get Artsy With a Cute Summer Tote Bag!

Yolanda Fe Designs

By the way, if you need a tote to carry all your books around with you this summer, check out these gorgeous ones by Yolanda Fe Designs! Yolanda is a good friend of mine—we go way back!—and I’m so excited that she’s now painting and sharing her artworks in such a cute, fashionable way. It’s a stylish way to help support an artist, and perfect for toting your summer reads to the beach, park, or BBQ.

I share this reading list (updated each year, of course) on my blog and in my newsletter just once a year, and load it with the books I’m reading or fell in love with over the past few months. The rest of the year, I’m sharing valuable lessons on how to teach art and prepare art lessons in the Montessori classroom. So, if you haven’t already, make sure you sign-up for my Newsletter! That way you won’t miss a post and you’ll be able to teach art without any stress.

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July 4, 2019November 5, 2024

4th of July Fireworks Coloring & Painting | Kids Art Activity

fireworks 4th of July Coloring & Painting

Happy American Independence Day!

I hope you’re enjoying your summer and that you’re spending today with friends and family! Whether you’re at a BBQ, heading to the beach, or trying to keep your dog calm during fireworks, I hope your July 4th is amazing! Of course, I love to bring art into everything I do, so I wanted to share a quick, easy, 4th of July craft for kids with you!

This week during my summer art camp, I kind of stumbled onto this activity, and was so excited with the results! All you need is paper, crayons, paint brush, and black watercolor paint. It’s easy to set up (so you can get back to grilling or making a fancy 4th of July cocktail, see below!) and the kids love being able to make their own fireworks. What I love most about this activity is that it actually teaches kids a simple artist technique called wax resist.

Here in American we celebrate our country’s independence on July 4th. Families and friends usually gather around and celebrate with a BBQ, potluck, time at the beach, popsicles or fireworks. I know that as a Montessori teacher, the last thing you want to do over the summer—let alone a holiday—is to teach an art lesson, but this one is super easy and you’ll be the star of the party for keeping kids happily occupied as they make these creations.

Firework Coloring & Painting Activity

The basic idea is that black paint over crayon marks create a really cool color pop image. The wax from the crayons resist the paint’s pigment, so those marks end up standing out against the dark color.

Materials:

Thick white paper (watercolor paper or cardstock)
Black paint — tempera, watercolor, acrylic, or any other kind of kids’ grade paint (you will need to thin the paint down to a watery consistency)
Paintbrush
Crayons (preferably red, white, and blue, but any colors will work)

Coloring & Painting Tips

Tip: Be sure to use lots of white crayon marks as you doodle, this is the best part! You won’t see it as you’re drawing because it’s white markings on white paper, but when you paint, it’ll “magically” show up.

Steps:

Doodle with crayon
Paint over the whole paper with black paint
Dry

Let kids have fun with this. You can even make flags to decorate your home or picnic tables.

4th of July Fireworks Coloring & Painting | Kids Art Activity and summer drinks

Blueberry Coconut Sparkler

I found this recipe on Spiced. It’s a beautiful and festive drink that brings the red, white, and blue. It also incorporates fresh fruit, so you can call it healthy if you want. 😉

If you’re making this drink to share with kids, just leave out the rum!

Ingredients:

3 cups fresh blueberries
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup coconut rum (optional)
2 1/2 cups ginger ale
Ice
Coconut Flakes (optional garnish)

Instructions:

Muddle the blueberries in the bottom of a medium bowl.
Add the lemon juice and coconut rum and stir until well combined
Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the mixture and discard the blueberry skins.
Add the ginger ale and gently stir until combined.
Garnish rims of glasses with coconut flakes (optional).
Fill glasses with ice and add the drink, then top off with a few fresh blueberries.
Enjoy!

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

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Spramani’s Books

Teach children visual arts

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Curriculum For Children

Get step-by-step art curriculum to teach visual arts. Check out our 4 art curriculums:
Painting
Drawing
Color Theory
Clay Modeling

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June 27, 2019June 15, 2024

Organizing Classroom Art Supplies | How to – Year End Pack, 5 Best Tips

5 Art Tips | Packing Up Your Montessori Classroom – Year End

Are you ready to pack up your classroom because the school year has come to the end? I have the best art packing tips to get you organized for next school year! I understand many of you have finished the school year and are excited about summer. You might feel like tossing all your classroom art supplies into a box. But taking the time to pack up properly will set you up for a well-organized art space when the new school year begins. Here are my top 5 golden art tips for year end organizing and packing up your Montessori classroom and getting ready for fall.

I have years of experience organizing classroom art supplies, which has honed my skills in being intentional and organized year-round. Whether I’m at a museum in Seattle, a school in Poland, or a local school, I can efficiently set up and dismantle art “classrooms” in minutes—it’s become second nature to me!

Create List Of The Most Used

Review your art albums and art curriculum you follow to identify the most frequently made art projects. This list will serve as a reference for the materials you commonly use throughout the school year. Create a list of these art supplies, then assess your current inventory. This supply list will help you remember what supplies you need to purchase before school begins and prepare you for my next tip.

5 Art Tips | Packing Up Your Montessori Classroom

Organize While Packing

When preparing to organize your art supplies, consider categorizing them by different subjects or domains, as outlined in my book. Packing materials according to specific areas makes it simpler to access them when needed. Younger students often find it less overwhelming to focus on one subject at a time.

By packing with intention, you’ll be well-prepared to deliver art lessons by subject or domain efficiently at the start of the new school year. For example, I love painting with kids. That’s why I organize all my painting supplies (paints, brushes, palettes, wash jars, napkins, smocks, etc.) packed up in one container. I know that any time I reach for that container, I’m set and ready to teach any painting lesson I can dream up.

Use Clear Containers For Art Supplies

Opt for clear containers and reusable plastic bags to easily see the contents of each storage unit. While maintaining a list of art supplies is beneficial (referencing tip #1), having transparent containers allows for quick identification of art supplies. For instance, by grabbing a plastic bag of colored pencils, I can promptly see if I have the necessary colors for a specific project. This type of classroom organizing will help you in the long run as the new school starts up again.

5 Art Tips | Packing Up Your Montessori Classroom – Year End, storage

Avoid Hoarding Art Supplies!

If you’re holding onto small, miscellaneous items for potential future art projects that may or may not happen, it’s best to let them go. If you’re uncertain about how to use certain supplies that are limited to specific projects, consider discarding them. If feasible, consider donating them instead of storing them for the new school year.

Removing unnecessary items will streamline your setup for future art projects, making the process quicker and more efficient. While I admit to being a bit of a hoarder myself, I’ve learned that being intentional, efficient, and organized is key to effective teaching.

Create Yearly Art Albums In A Snap!

Yearly art albums are a great way to wrap up projects before summer break. If you find yourself at the end of the year with a stack of art projects to sort through, this tip can be a lifesaver. Simply take photos of all the artwork created in your classroom to quickly create an art album. This method helps you recall past lessons and understand why certain projects were successful.

It’s a space-saving way to preserve your students’ work without the bulk. After taking the picture, consider discarding or recycling the physical project to reduce clutter. You can even jot down notes on the photo for future reference. For more organizational tips, lesson ideas, and teaching strategies for your Montessori classroom, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for free!

Have a great break!

By embracing these valuable tips to carefully organize and pack your classroom’s art supplies as the school year draws to a close, you’ll find yourself saving precious time when classes start up again. Rather than hastily stashing items away, dedicating time now to thoughtful organization will undoubtedly yield positive results down the road. I hope you find some value in these five essential tips for sorting and packing your Montessori classroom at year-end. Have a great break, you deserve it!

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Early Childhood Art Guide

Visual Arts Teaching Guide
for 13 Months – 6 Years Old

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June 20, 2019May 14, 2024

Start Teaching Montessori Art In The Classroom

Have you ever considered how to introduce Montessori art lessons in your classroom? Perhaps you tried an art project before, only to face chaos and a mess. Maybe you felt overwhelmed by the amount of work you thought was required. Or it’s possible you avoided teaching art altogether due to uncertainty on where to begin.

Firstly, kudos if you tried to teach an art lesson. This step is significant, and with some good direction you can tackle an art lesson with better results. With three decades of experience in visual arts, I’ve crafted a unique approach to teaching children art lessons.

While I go much deeper into the development and functionality of my art teaching method, more blogs, books and my curriculum, today I want to just, highlight the key element you need to know—regardless of your prior knowledge. These are important ideas to being successful in teaching Montessori children in the classroom.

Naturally, adding some structure or purpose to art projects is important. Also it’s beneficial to find ways to link the Montessori art lessons to the Great Lessons.

I know getting your students to work independently and creativity is key, but most important is knowing where to start and whats truly important in a quality art literacy program.

Teaching Montessori Art In The Classroom

Art Education

When starting out teaching art in the Montessori Classroom, having a clear roadmap is essential. There are key areas to familiarize yourself with initially. Firstly, grasp the concepts taught in art literacy, such as the Elements of Art. Secondly, understanding the areas of visual arts to tach, like painting and drawing. Thirdly, learn about the art materials to and stage. Fourthly, creating an art-friendly environment is necessary. Lastly, identifying the primary Montessori art key lessons to introduce first is crucial.

Getting familiar with these foundations will get started on the right path for teaching art lessons. I’ve dedicated countless hours to developing art teaching resources for you through books, blogs, curricula, video tutorials, and even art certification programs if you’re interested in professional development.

Teaching Montessori Art In The Classroom, books, training and curriculum

Fostering Independence Through Art Creation

One common belief among Montessori educators is the value of fostering children’s independence. Therefore, it’s crucial to start off on the right foot when incorporating art lessons into your school. Once you grasp art literacy, you can move into other important concepts. Like learning how to set up for art demonstrations. Or how to stage art material presentations. And art teaching tactics that allow students the freedom to explore creativity. And lastly, you can get good at integrating all art lessons with The Great Lessons with ease.

Art Teaching First Steps

Get acquainted with art standards by exploring a user-friendly book that outlines visual arts for Montessori education. This resource will help you grasp the significance of teaching visual arts and what specific areas to concentrate on. Consider ordering these three Montessori books to access all the necessary knowledge to kickstart your journey into art education.

Defining Visual Arts

Montessori Art Guide – Early Childhood

Montessori art Guide – Elementary

Free Video Art Training

Montessori Art Certification

Montessori Art Resources

1. 5 Ways to Integrate Art Activities into Montessori Great Lessons

When you combine the concepts of art and the Great Lessons, you can seamlessly support your students learning without any disconnection!

2. Building a Montessori Art Lesson Calendar to Keep Students Busy Every Month

If you take some time to plan out your calendar, presenting art lessons will be so much easier for you during the school year. The best part of all this? There’s a simple, stress-free way to break it down, this blog shares how.

3. 5 NEW Ways to Tackle Montessori Art Projects

This article is a little inspiration for tackling art lessons, activities, and projects. Because, sometimes, you need a different way of looking at things to come up with fun, creative art lessons for your students.

4. Montessori Art Lesson Planning How-To

Without the proper art training, it’s difficult to know what a great art lesson should actually cover and include. This post sets the foundation to help you choose lessons, set up for activities, and create a schedule for the year.

5. Montessori Art Activities | Big Bang Art Lessons

There are so many different art activities you can present to your students that incorporate the lessons about the Big Bang. Combining art activities with science is the perfect way for students to explore their imaginations and support traditional learning methods.

6. Montessori Art Lesson Planning: My Beautiful (Disastrous) Trip to Bali

Teaching art in Bali was, hands down, the most beautiful art trip I’ve taken this year, but that doesn’t mean everything went exactly as planned. Hopefully you will read about my experience and understand a few ways to work through difficult lessons—and maybe even learn from my mistakes!

7. Montessori Art Lesson Plan Cheat Sheet

One of the most important factors when it comes to lesson planning is staying organized. Download this FREE, handy, three-step cheat sheet and refer to it when you start planning your next art lesson.

May 16, 2019November 5, 2024

Watercolor Play | Montessori Art Lesson

If you’re looking for a hands-off project that’s fun for kids, I have the perfect art lesson for you! Watercolor Play introduces young children to the basics of color and lets them explore their creativity. Because this project is process-based—meaning it’s about experimenting and experiencing the process of making art—it’s a perfect Montessori art lesson, since students can work independently.

Watercolor Play is a simple, natural way for kids to learn the basis of color. Students in Plane 1 or younger can’t really be sat down and taught color theory, so this activity is a way for them to be introduced to color in a way that meets their level of understanding. It teaches them how color behaves and mixes, which are things all artists need to learn, without getting into technical details and overwhelming them.

This lesson provides the building blocks of color theory so students are ready for more advanced work as they get more experience. This foundation will help them be more willing to experiment when they’re older, because they already have an introduction to art and the knowledge of how colors work together.

Watercolor Play is Ideal for Early Childhood

While this activity is ideal for early childhood, you can adapt aspects of it to work for older children too. You’ll see that I try to keep this art lesson very simple to start off with, but you can add in primary and secondary color concepts once students have a better understanding.

No matter how old your students are, mixing colors can be therapeutic. It’s soothing, relaxing, and can relieve stress. Giving children the opportunity to play like this also helps them develop the wiring in their minds.

I recommend setting up this art lesson on a regular basis—maybe once a month, or even once a week—so their understanding consistently grows and deepens.

Watercolor Play from Spramani Elaun on Vimeo.

Supplies

Kid-safe, non-toxic liquid paint (acrylic, tempera, or watercolor) that’s been watered down to be transparent
Bottles with adjustable caps OR clear plastic tubs
Bowls
Paintbrushes, sponges, stampers, drippers
Watercolor paper or thick/butcher paper (optional)
Aprons or old clothes

Steps:

Put all your materials out on a table
Let kids explore and play

That’s it! Watercolor Play is such a simple activity. You don’t want to direct it or try to teach anything if your students are at a young age. Let them play with the colors and mix things naturally, they’ll create their own colors and see things for themselves. If they’re old enough to ask about colors, then you can go ahead and start naming the general hues, and hint at what adding other colors might do to change the original color (i.e. make it lighter).

Watercolor Paints

You can start with whatever colors you want. You can start with primary colors, or set out just one color at a time, then add new or different colors the next time. I recommend sticking with limited color options to start out with, especially for children 24 months or younger. Once they’re older and have had more exposure to colors and the activity, they’ll be able to start experimenting more, and getting more excited about their experimentation.

With this art lesson, you’re not focusing on the outcome; do not expect kids to create an actual finished work. The watercolor paper is optional because older students may want to make their own artwork, if the choose to do so, make sure there’s a place to keep the paper out to dry. Seeing how the paint and color changes once their work is done is part of the experience as well.

You may also want to consider starting with lighter colors before introducing darker ones, since dark colors can “stain” the other ones by eventually turning everything a murky gray—which is less exciting.

While this project is relatively hands off, you may need to take the lead initially by squirting and mixing the paint in your own bowl or tub. Kids are so used to us telling them to be careful, and not to make messes, so this is a new experience for them.

NOTE: This project should be set up outdoors or somewhere that water can be splashed (i.e., not rugs or carpet). This project can get messy with younger children, since most toddlers and lower elementary students don’t yet have very developed fine motor skills to control what they’re doing.

For more activities and lessons on color theory, check out my book Kids Color Theory.

Spramani’s Books

Teach children visual arts

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Curriculum For Children

Get step-by-step art curriculum to teach visual arts. Check out our 4 art curriculums:
Painting
Drawing
Color Theory
Clay Modeling

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May 10, 2019November 5, 2024

Cosmic Rock Painting | Montessori Art Lesson

In my years of working with students, I’ve developed a few go-to art projects that are easy to put together and that kids LOVE. Cosmic Rock Painting is one of my favorite art projects for students. I think this project works especially well as a Montessori art project because it can be incorporated with the Great Lessons and cosmos. I find it a perfect fit for Lower L Montessori students, but with a few tweaks, it can be adapted for students at any age.

Cosmic Rock Painting | Montessori Art Lesson — Use any type of rocks!

I actually got my inspiration for this project from the book Born with a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story by Jennifer Morgan. It’s a very common book in the Montessori world—you may even already have it in your classroom! While you don’t need to read this story with your students, it makes a great foundation for jumping into this art activity.

Before you start this Cosmic Rock Painting project, make sure you go over the big bang, even if it’s only briefly. Show students photos of stars, constellations, and galaxies to serve as inspiration and give them ideas of what they can create.

Supplies:

Paintbrush
Paint (acrylic paint works best, tempera paint can also be used but may wash off)
Palette (egg cartons, paper plates, and small bowls also work)
Wash jar
Napkin
Rocks or stones (any will work, but river rocks are preferred)

Steps:

Paint the surface of the rock black, let dry
Using a variety of colors, paint on cosmic images (allow students to reference books and photos for inspiration)

Watch Cosmic Rock Painting Video

[In the video, I mention a tinting tutorial and brush stroke tutorial; to access these videos for free, register for my FREE online mini-course, Phases of Art Development. Each of these topics can be done as completely separate art lessons to help kids understand color tones and brush strokes.]

Montessori cosmic rock painting art lesson

Notes: Depending on how you want to introduce this lesson, you can have students complete the whole project in one day or break it up over the course of several days. You can teach this lesson in chronological order, starting with the big bang, then how galaxies develop, and then go into mini lessons on the milky way, super novas, the sun, Earth, and other planets. Students can paint individual rocks to represent each of these cosmic ideas.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to easy art activities for Montessori students! After working in the art industry for more than three decades, I’ve amassed a TON of art project ideas for kids. I’ve also developed and created my very own art teaching method that introduces art literacy to students in a way that’s fun and that makes sense to them.

To explore some of the ways students learn art at each age level, and to fun and easy art project ideas, make sure you register for my FREE online mini-course, Phases of Art Development!

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Best of all—it’s free! To sign up for the course, click here.

Spramani’s Books

Teach children visual arts

Art Book Shop

Curriculum For Children

Get step-by-step art curriculum to teach visual arts. Check out our 4 art curriculums:
Painting
Drawing
Color Theory
Clay Modeling

Buy Art Curriculum

Choosing the Most Appropriate Art Materials for Early Childhood

Where to Start: Which Montessori Art Materials for Early Childhood to Purchase First

One Step Further (Download My Montessori Art Materials for Early Childhood List!)

A Short Cut Just for You – Buy Guide Book

Visual Arts Teaching Guidefor 13 Months – 6 Years Old

How to Find a Museum in Your Area & Make a Day of It

Hooked on Art, Yet? Bring It Into Your Classroom with This Special Summer Discount!

5 Tips for Saving Money on Art Supplies:

1. Buy High-Quality Montessori Mediums & Materials

2. Cut Art Supplies in Halves & Quarters

3. Know Which Art Supplies to Splurge and Save On

4. Take Advantage of Back-to-School Discounts for Teachers

5. Ask Parents for Help With an Art Supply Wishlist

Spramani’s Books

Curriculum For Children

Make a Succulent Garden this summer

Organize Your Closet Space

Press and Keep Your Flowers and Memories

Peg Your Walls This Summer

Display Your Baskets Artfully

Create a Personalized Ring Dish

Become Your Own Barista

Catch Up On Summer Reading

Montessori Art Newsletter

Spramani’s Books

Curriculum For Children

My 2019 Summer Reading Book List

My 2019 Summer Reading Book List

Get Artsy With a Cute Summer Tote Bag!

Yolanda Fe Designs

Happy American Independence Day!

Firework Coloring & Painting Activity

Coloring & Painting Tips

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

Spramani’s Books

Curriculum For Children

Create List Of The Most Used

Organize While Packing

Use Clear Containers For Art Supplies

Avoid Hoarding Art Supplies!

Create Yearly Art Albums In A Snap!

Have a great break!

Visual Arts Teaching Guidefor 13 Months – 6 Years Old

Art Education

Fostering Independence Through Art Creation

Art Teaching First Steps

Montessori Art Resources

Watercolor Play is Ideal for Early Childhood

Supplies

Watercolor Paints

Spramani’s Books

Curriculum For Children

Watch Cosmic Rock Painting Video

Spramani’s Books

Curriculum For Children

Visual Arts Teaching Guide
for 13 Months – 6 Years Old

Visual Arts Teaching Guide
for 13 Months – 6 Years Old