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Montessori | Benefits of Clay Play

Montessori | Benefits of Clay Play, early childhood 3-6 years

By Spramani Elaun

Have you ever set up a clay activity and found yourself unsure of where to begin? Or perhaps you’ve struggled with determining the desired outcome of the project?

Allow me to share my experience and shed some light on the importance of early childhood clay play sessions.

In fact, I refer to this approach as “Clay Play.” Engaging in clay play offers numerous benefits for a child’s overall development.

When it comes to teaching children, this process-based exploratory approach should always come first! This type of play should happen before getting into foundational clay modeling skills.This this play should happen before getting into foundational clay modeling skills.

Montessori | Benefits of Clay Play, student playing clay tools

Playing with clay provides a highly tactile and sensory experience. As children squeeze, press, and manipulate the clay, they are actively engaging their senses. Sending valuable sensory information to their brain.

However, the benefits of clay play extend far beyond the realm of sensory development. In fact, there are numerous cognitive advantages associated with this activity.  Montessori education highlights the importance of hands-on learning and developing real-world skills. Clay play aligns perfectly with Montessori philosophy.

Clay Play has been found to have positive effects on emotional well-being. Many studies and my first hand experiences have shown that playing with clay can help children regulate stress levels. In my early childhood art guide, I discuss this topic and provide more insights into Clay Play for emotional health.

I recommend incorporating clay play for young children in early childhood education. Montessori schools and daycare centers can introduce clay modeling stations into their classrooms to provide children with the opportunity to explore. Plus support creative and cognitive skills. To learn more about setting up clay modeling environments, please refer to this comprehensive guide Monessori Early Childhood Art Guide.

Clay comes in various forms, ranging from very messy to less messy Clay comes in various forms, ranging from very messy to less messy options. Additionally, clays can be homemade, which can be particularly useful for sensitive children. Earth clay, in particular, is a wonderful material to introduce to children, similst to making mud pies. If you’re interested in setting up earth pottery clay play stations, I recommend checking out this book, which contains numerous photos and examples illustrating how to arrange and select the most suitable clay play materials for exploring clay with toddlers and children aged 3-6 years old.

little girl making clay sculptures, clay play session at school

The important thing to understand about clay play is that it should be a process-based activity, providing children with ample time to freely play and explore clay. There are various ways to engage children in exploring clay, including the use of simple tools such as natural elements, beads, seeds, rolling pins, and cookie cutters. Emphasizing the play aspect of clay play is crucial, as it allows the child to take the lead in their learning and discoveries. By letting the child guide the fun, experiments, and creations, you can enhance their experience.

Clay Play book for preschool cover

When are children ready for guided clay modeling lessons? Once children have had ample opportunities for clay play and have reached the age of 4 or 5, you can begin introducing clay modeling skill sets. This includes teaching them how to create forms, attach pieces, cut, and carve. If you would like to learn more about my clay curriculum designed for ages 3-6 and elementary grades, you can explore the Clay Modeling Curriculum HERE. Order Clay Play Tools HERE

Montessori clay modeling curriculum for school art lessons
Clay Play Classes in San Diego with Spramani Elaun – Nature of Art® School
Clay Play Classes in San Diego with Spramani Elaun – Nature of Art® School

All rights reserved © 2023, Nature of Art®

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.

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Montessori – Using Visual Arts to Support Language Development

By Spramani Elaun

Montessori - Using Visual Arts to Support Language Development

In today’s Montessori classrooms, students often miss out on opportunities to express their thoughts and emotions about artworks. However, your classroom can be an exceptional environment for empowering students to develop critical thinking skills and proficiency in the language of art. By encouraging students to engage in open discussions and reflective exercises, you can enhance their communication skills and foster a deeper understanding of art while also meeting art standards. Emphasizing the importance of self-expression and thoughtful analysis creates a nurturing space to support language development.

When we look at art, we usually focus on what we see. But it’s also important to talk about art with friends, family, and teachers. As art teachers, we can help students understand how different elements of art fit together. This means they can learn words to describe their own artwork, like colors and textures. For example, they might say, “I used light blue in the background of my picture and made wavy lines to show clouds.” By using these special art words, students can explain their choices and practice language development.

Montessori - Using Visual Arts to Support Language Development, Art Lessons For Teachers

Art language includes specialized vocabulary for discussing art, such as elements like colors, shapes, lines, and the emotions evoked by artworks. Teaching art language in the classroom provides students with a valuable tool for expressing their thoughts and ideas more effectively. Engaging students in discussions about art not only enhances their ability to communicate but also fosters their overall language development. Through the exploration and use of art terminology, students can expand their expressive capabilities, broaden their understanding of artistic concepts, and develop a deeper appreciation for the power of language in the realm of art.

Using the language of Visual Arts can also have a profound impact on brain development! When children create art, their brains are buzzing with neural activity. Not only have neuroscientists, science researchers, and art therapists recognized the correlation between early childhood art and brainpower, but my own two decades of studio-based observations have reaffirmed these findings. Through art, children have the opportunity to enhance their cognitive abilities and bolster their brain function. By encouraging and supporting their artistic endeavors, we can simultaneously nurture their intellectual growth and language development. Art truly has the power to shape young minds in remarkable ways!

How to Get Started Teaching Visual Art Language:

If you’re looking to enhance your art education skills, my book “Defining Visual Arts” is a must-have resource. This book is specifically designed to provide a solid foundation in art literacy. Inside its pages, you’ll discover valuable insights, including:

  • The true meaning of art literacy
  • How to align with art standards
  • The connection between artist language and teaching children
  • Suitable art projects for different age groups
  • Recommended art mediums for children
  • The intricacies of teaching artist techniques
  • The importance of spatial understanding in the visual arts
  • A comprehensive understanding of the artistic process

[Order the book online HERE]

All rights reserved © 2023, Nature of Art®

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.

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The Power of Anticipatory Sets: Energize Your Classroom with Exciting Art Lesson Starters

I’m excited to share a little secret with you about having an engaging art lesson opener. However, at times, we tend to overlook its significance, and that’s something we need to change.

As educators, it’s imperative that our lesson openers not only pique interest but also align with our students’ existing knowledge. If the opener fails to captivate or doesn’t resonate with the students, its impact dwindles. My art method is firmly grounded in this principle; I love connecting art lessons with what my students are already familiar with or studying in the classroom! In some educational approaches, anticipatory sets are used in a similar manner.

So, what exactly are Anticipatory Sets?

In simple terms, anticipatory sets function like a warm-up or introduction to prepare you for something exciting. Just like stretching before exercising or watching a movie trailer before the main film, anticipatory sets serve to prime your mind, ignite curiosity, and generate excitement about what’s in store for your learning journey. In the realm of education, anticipatory sets are activities or prompts that teachers employ at the start of a lesson to activate your prior knowledge, stimulate curiosity, and get you enthusiastic about what you’re going to learn. It’s like setting the stage for a fantastic learning experience!

Sadly, in some lessons, anticipatory sets are absence, which can lead to boredom or disengagement among students. Anticipatory sets effectively convey what students will be learning that day, which can fuel their engagement. We need to infuse creativity and engagement into our openers. For instance, we can kick things off with a short video highlighting a artist, delve into an intriguing news article, or foster interactive discussions. Technology, such as an appealing slideshow, can peek interest!

Now, let’s delve into the process of creating engaging art starters (Anticipatory Sets). Before crafting one, it’s a fantastic idea to gauge your students’ existing knowledge. You can accomplish this by asking them questions or conducting surveys. Simply inquire about their familiarity and interests related to the topic.

Furthermore, strive to establish a connection between the opener and your students’ lives. What’s currently capturing their interest or fascination? You can unearth ideas by exploring online resources or staying updated with the latest news.

Here’s where the fun begins – let your creativity soar! Think outside the box and devise unique ways to present your opener. When developing it, consider drawing comparisons between the new material you’re introducing and concepts your students are already acquainted with. This helps them forge connections and deepen their comprehension. 

Here are some fun easy to use an anticipatory set to introduce an art project:

Artifacts and Props: Begin by gathering intriguing artifacts or props relevant to the upcoming art project. For instance, if your project involves clay sculpting, display small clay sculptures or pottery pieces in the classroom.

Mystery Box: Introduce a mystery box adorned with colorful wrapping paper, placing it at the center of the classroom. Share with the students that it holds a special surprise connected to their art project.

Sensory Exploration: Launch the anticipatory set by allowing students to explore the displayed artifacts and props. Encourage them to touch, smell, observe, and interact with these objects. Pose open-ended questions like, “What do you notice about these sculptures? How do they feel? What do they remind you of?”

Predictions and Discussion: Following the sensory exploration, facilitate a class discussion where students can share their observations and make predictions regarding the art project based on the artifacts and props. Encourage them to employ their imaginations and make educated guesses about the upcoming activity.

Unveiling the Surprise: This is my favorite!, unveil the mystery box to reveal the materials or tools required for the art project. Explain the connection between the artifacts and props and the project, detailing how students will have the opportunity to create their own artworks inspired by these items. 

By using an anticipatory set, you’ve sparked curiosity, engaged their senses, and generated excitement for the forthcoming art project. In my art teaching method, I use inspiration to set up an art shelf, creating the same type of student curiosity. If you want to learn more about this topic, order my books and curriculum HERE.

I hope these suggestions and tips will inspire you to approach openers with creativity!

And remember, integrating art lessons with other academic subjects can create a comprehensive learning experience.

Warm regards,

Spramani

All rights reserved © 2023, Nature of Art®

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.

HOW TO STAGE A MONTESSORI ART SHELF TRAINING

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Montessori Art Routines & Art Language Part 2.

Art Routines

Last week I started a series on the topic of art routines Part 1. By having routines in place you can stop chaos during art sessions. Having these routines in place has helped me in classroom management.

  • Art Smocks
  • Art Material Set-up
  • Art Language

Continuing on this topic I’m sharing my insights on art talk & the artist language we teach. If you are not familiar with what art language means, it’s how we describe artworks and our process. It’s art’s own language. You can learn more by reading these books Defining Visual Arts, or Early Childhood Art Guide.

Montessori Art Routines & Art Language Part 2.

Art literacy is not only about making art, but also teaching students how to communicate. Keep in mind I’ve been teaching children for over 30 years. These routines and expectations came together over a long period of time. So it will take time for you to practice.

Over the years I’ve had my share of students disrupting my art classes. At some point I reflected on the times I spent in fine art studios working with other artists. I wanted my teaching sessions with kids to have that same feeling of expressive openness. So I came to the conclusion that my role was not just to show them how to make art, but also how to behave and talk like an artist. I created fine art studio behavior models (art expectations).

  • Only communicate in art language
  • No negative peer critiquing
  • Observe like an Artist
  • Reading Instead of Disturbing

As a now roaming art specials visiting classrooms across the county, I use these with all ages from 3 – 12 years.

Only communicate in art language

This means you are talking about your art, your art process, or helping someone with their art. Not what you are eating for lunch, or what happened at recess. This is also how I can hear when my students are getting off track.

No negative peer critiquing

Unnecessary comments could affect a students confidence to express openly in the classroom. I make time to explain how acceptable critiquing is using art language. I explain that I will make time for open refection time. And any student can volunteer to share with the classroom their art. I describe what positive critiquing sounds like.

Example

Negative – “Why does that nose look like that, it looks weird!”

Vs.

Artful talk – “I noticed he used thick wavy green lines to create the nose. That’s not something I expected to see in his drawing.”

or ,

“I wonder why he put purple leaf shapes in his nature drawing, rather than making green shapes”.

You can model this type of art language with practice. If you would like to learn how to talk to children artfully, check out this mini art training course.

Observe like an artist

I explain that if they want to look at someone’s art, to walk quietly around them, and observe with eyes only. So not to interrupt a working artist. In fact I show my young students how to observe by putting their hand behind their back. The action is like they are viewing art in a museum, to not disturb the art. I explain it’s OK to be curious and look at everyone’s work, but observe like an artist.

Reading Instead of Disturbing

When a student is disturbing the classroom, I give them a choice. Join us in art, or dismiss yourself into reading quietly until we are done with art. This usually works because the student feels left out when everyone is enjoying art. Generally students usually ask to return back to art. I will ask if they agree to participate artfully, leaving it up to them.

Love to hear your feedback!

Warmly,

Spramani Elaun – Art Instructor

All rights reserved © 2023, Nature of Art®

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.

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Montessori Elementary Art | How To Bring Art In To The Classroom

How to bring elementary art into the Montessori classroom
Elementary Montessori

How to bring elementary art into the Montessori classroom

By Spramani Elaun

Every Montessori school should have an art environment. Whether an art shelf inside the classroom, dedicated classroom, or specials visiting. Elementary students should be engaging in some type of art. Allowing them to express creativity plus building basic skill sets. One of the reasons art programs exist is to expose children to different kinds of mediums. When exposed to different art activities students are likely to find the right art domain they enjoy. When children find the right art experience they enjoy, they become independent as they practice these skill-sets. When Montessori elementary students work independently they can also self regulate their own stress with hand work. Independent working students can also reach creative flow states! So where should you start with bringing Montessori elementary art into the classroom?

There’s six areas to focus on first:

  • Schedule Art
  • Choose Art Subjects
  • Teach Art Elements
  • Choose Art Mediums
  • Choose An Artist Technique
  • Teach Skill Building Foundations
  • Focus On Art Direct Aims

Schedule Montessori Art Lessons

Start with scheduling regular interactions with art making. Schedule daily, weekly or even bi weekly art lessons. Even bi monthly if your teaching schedule is super busy. I did this as a visiting Montessori art specials and I heard from Montessori guides how the children learned so much from just 4 visits! Once you have chosen the day, move to creating time segments. Be sure your timeline is specific to lower or upper elementary attention spans.

Art Subjects

Then move into deciding which visual art subjects you want to explore. I recommend choosing from my five art domains. Subjects like painting or color theory. Learn more about the 5 domains by buying: Defining Visual Arts Book HERE

Montessori Elementary Art | How To Bring Art In To The Classroom

Teach Art Elements

To meet the national art standards it’s important to teach children the Art Elements. The Art Elements cover things like line, color, shape – etc.

Each one of your art lessons should always focus on a key art element. I can’t stress enough how important this is to a solid art program. I meet many Montessori teachers not even aware of art literacy standards. Even the artistic process, or how-to scaffold art lessons, or what art sequences should come next. Learn more about the Art Elements by buying: Defining Visual Arts Book HERE

Mediums & Technique

Then the fun stuff starts by deciding on which mediums to experiment with first. This also includes what presentations and demonstrations to schedule. For example you could teach the subject of painting and focus on the watercolor medium. Then show children a crayon technique – wax resist marks. Or let’s say you decide to integrate a sensory craft with zoology. Like cutting sea life shapes from paper with a collage – technique.

Montessori Elementary Art | How To Bring Art In To The Classroom

Building Montessori Art Skill-Sets

The best advice I have for you is to teach how to set-up, clean-up, and prepare the environment for their next classmate, learning to complete the cycle in the Montessori way first is important. This supports independent work through the school year. Then foucs on building skill-sets and don’t waste time on the wrong type of art lessons. Like focusing on the Masters, copying images, or too much process- based art. Try not to focus lessons on copying the Masters artworks. These lessons can be lacking in developing independent art skill-sets or their own creativity. Montessori elementary students need the right order of skill-set lesson first.

Focus on Montessori Art – Direct Aims

The other important thing I want to share is even if you can’t draw or paint you can still teach proper art lessons. Your own refined skill-sets are not the focus. What’s important is knowing your direct aims. Direct aims like preparing the environment, and presenting the right order of demonstrations. Scheduling and choosing age appropriate art lessons. Indirect Aims will happen like – your students brainstorming or conjuring up original ideas. Even exploration that leads to the most optimal state of creative flow!

Teaching art can be intimidating without any basic knowledge or experience. But I’m here to tell you I’ve taught thousands of parents and teachers. I have lots of preparatory teaching methods easy for you to follow. But here’s a secret… you will learn right beside your students, I promise!

Montessori Elementary Art | How To Bring Art In To The Classroom

Art Professional Development

I invite you… 

No matter what capacity of training you desire, I’ve built art teaching resources you can have access to!

Choose:

Blog Articles

Free Checklist

Art Teaching Books

Art Video Training

Art Lesson plans

Sequential Art Curriculum

Montessori Professional Development

Montessori In-service Training (email info@Spramani.com)

Montessori Art Certification

Custom Art Programing (email info@Spramani.com)

All rights reserved © 2023, Nature of Art®

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.

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How-to Talk to Toddlers About Montessori Art – By Spramani Elaun

It can feel a little overwhelming—maybe even silly—to try and introduce your toddler to montessori art concepts.

Some toddlers might still be learning how to talk and hold a spoon, so how are you supposed to have a full on art conversation?

Here’s the good news: How-to talk to toddlers about art making is not something you need to worry about.

You don’t have to use “art language,” proper terminology, or fancy words in order for your toddler to start appreciating and experiencing art making.

Art does have its own type of language, it’s called the ‘Elements and Principles of Design” but that’s way too advanced for toddlers to understand!

If you start using this strange art terminology, you’re going to lose your child’s attention, and likely get frustrated yourself.

When you talk to your toddler about montessori art—”Art Talk”—it’s really just describing what you see in artworks, like color, shape, and form, etc.

Before I get into how-to talk to Toddlers about montessori Art let me break that down an easy way your toddler will understand, I want you to have some basic knowledge.

How-to Talk to Toddlers About Montessori Art – By Spramani Elaun

The Basics: How-to Talk To Toddlers About Montessori Art

For a young child, exploring through art play is something natural.

Children gain a sense of their physical world by using each and all of their senses—seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, and hearing. This is how knowlege is first learned.

The enthusiasm a child feels while dipping a paintbrush into a paint palette, or creating brushstrokes across a blank paper is exciting!

It’s a curious mix of senses.

Learning montessori art is about discovery and exploration.

By allowing toddlers to explore art (without any expectations), is a natural way for you to introduce toddlers to art concepts.

Playing and experimenting can help them build confidence to start expressing art terms.

This type of art exploration can come in many art activities like: doodling, painting, color mixing, and clay modeling.

(For more detailed information on how to teach toddlers art, read this post.)

How-to Talk to Toddlers About Montessori Art – By Spramani Elaun
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography | aquarium.ucsd.edu

How-to Start talking To Toddlers About Montessori Art Images

OK, lets get started on how easy it is to talk to toddlers about art!

When you’re first introducing art talk to your toddler, keep things basic and simple. Start by describing what you see or what’s going on as you make art.

As your toddler starts exploring, art talk will become easier and easier.

More than likely, their inquisitive little brains will start making cognitive connections (like, “if I use this purple paint, with this paintbrush, it’ll come out like this”), and they’ll probably start asking questions (such as, “what color is this?” or “why did this do this?”).

You don’t necessarily need to use these exact terms, but let me share how simple this talk can be with toddlers.

Describe basic aspects of art:

  • Color
  • Shape
  • Texture
  • Line

Keep these concepts in mind as you talk to your toddler about art:

Examples of how-to talk sounds:

Here are some examples of how to start talking and describing what you see in montessori art activties: While reading story books you can point out colors like this:

“The bear is all brown, do you want to color something brown today?”

“Let’s cut out some shapes, like circles and squares, with scissors.”

“Hey, what about making some fun textures in our clay, watch me!”

“Let’s make squiggly and straight lines with crayons.”

“How many different colored lines can we draw together?”

“Let’s mix yellow and blue, what color did you make?”

How-to Talk to Toddlers About Montessori Art – By Spramani Elaun

Why Is It Important Toddlers Do Art Activities?

  • Toddler Art talk supports confience
  • Toddler art talk supports experimental curiosity
  • Toddler art talk can boost brainpower

Art talk—especially when it’s positive and encouraging—can be the foundation for building up your toddler’s creative confidence.

Remember that most artworks made by toddlers are just simply led by their own curiosity and art play.

For them, the point of art is just to have fun, and their finished pieces of art won’t look like anything realsitic.

If you encourage them and answer their questions, they’ll grow bolder in their exploration and will ultimately have the self-confidence to continue learning— even beyond art.

Art talk will stimulate your child’s imagination.

Art talk can boosts brainpower!

There’s a lot of neural wiring happening in the brain when children make art. Other branches of scientists like neuroscientists, science researchers, and art therapists, have also made connections to how early childhood art contributes to brainpower. Over my twenty years in process, studio-based observations, I have observed these same connections to how children get to improve their brains by creating artwork!

(For more detailed information on how art boost brain power, read this post.)

If you have any questions or get stumped on answering one of their art questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at info@Spramani.com

And for more ideas and tips for bringing art into your toddler’s life, sign up for my Montessori Art newsletter.

With practice you will get good at taling to toddlers about Montessori art.

A Short Cut Just for You …

Order paperback or digital book  Early Childhood Art Guide

Visual Arts Teaching Guidefor 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

Order book online HERE

montessori books by spramani elaun
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How-to teach children age appropriate art activities

I get questions every day on how to teach age appropriate art activities.

I’m going to share some tips to get you on the right track.

I’ll also be sharing lots of resources.

There’s only four important things you should consider when teaching age appropriate art activities:

  1. Use only safe non-toxic children’s art supplies
  2. Focus on discovery exploratory type of activities
  3. Keep steps very minimal
  4. Focus on introducing the basic 7 elements

Early Childhood Art Activities

Very young children from toddler to six years can not plan art ideas out yet. So their art activities should be very exploration and discovery in style. They should only do process based style art activities. These lessons should generally introduce art mediums and art tools. You should only be introducing the very basic elements of art like line and colors etc. If you want to understand what art programs should consist of you can order:

Defining Visual Arts. This book explains what art literacy is for children and what you should be focusing on teaching. If you want to learn all about early childhood art programming you can order: Early Childhood Art Guide, this book shows you how to design an age appropriate art program.

Elementary Art Activities

Elementary age students can plan and create with intention. They are able to imagine an idea and plan it out. They can also follow one to six step instructions. These ages should also work in an exploratory discovery fashion. Allow children full freedom to express their own ideas. This means you should allow them to change the final outcome of their creation and not insist they follow an exact example.

Safe Non-Toxic Art Supplies

I recommend children under the age of 12 years old not use adult grade fine art supplies. Many artist grade supplies may contain hazards pigments like cadmium, lead, formaldehyde, solvents. Some paints may add additives, mildew resistance or other chemicals. Or also have special instructions for handling. These chemicals could be harmful to children not aware of special handling instructions. Pick non-toxic kids products that bare the ASTM D 4236 on them. This is a U.S. labeling law to protect children from dangerous chemicals.

If you start with these four suggestions you will be starting out on the right foot. If you need more guidance I have many training videos, books and professional development. 

Warmly,

SpramaniE laun

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Montessori Early Childhood Materials List

Montessori Upper Elementary Materials List

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Teaching Art Activities by Using Children’s Storybooks

Children's storybooks
children’s storybooks

Video Narrated by Art Teacher Spramani Elaun

As an art teacher, I love using children’s storybooks to teach art lessons to engage my students; however, there are many other great reasons you should integrate books into art-making lessons. Using children’s storybooks can not only inspire creative ideas, but it can also bring characters and plots to life by following up with art activities.

Storybooks can bridge connections to the elements and principles of design within illustrations, pictures, or descriptive words. Storybooks can help you communicate, especially in art language. In addition, book illustrations give visual clues to what color or shape looks like in the context of artworks. Storybooks don’t just have to be related to art topics or artists; you can use basic, classic children’s literature, such as The Giving Tree, The Ugly Duckling, Green Eggs and Ham, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Though, remember that almost all children’s storybooks are illustrated by an artist.

Combining Children’s Storybooks and Art

Combining children’s storybooks and art supports:

  • Developing early literacy
  • Bringing characters and plots to life
  • Engaging in open-ended questions
  • Fostering multi-sensory learning
  • Enriching reading and writing techniques

Developing Early Literacy

Children can learn art language by reading stories and following up with art activities. This can be a great way for you to enrich your teaching techniques by getting children to read more. Educational research confirms that when children read regularly, they expand their vocabularies, which leads to more reading and doing better academically in the upper grades. 

I regularly use this method when introducing new techniques to my students. I love theming art activities with stories! 

Bringing Characters and Plots to Life

Books bring characters and plots to life, but following up by creating your own character from a book is an immersive experience! You can appeal to young readers’ imagination by transforming a flat 2D character into physical pieces of art. Also, you can read a wonderful story like The Velveteen Rabbit and have them create their own rabbit character they can play with. And in addition, you can ask children to create art with an unexpected twist to the story or their own version of how the story ends. Allow them to paint a different image and draw their own scenes. Children love imagining themselves within stories.

Engaging in Open-Ended Questions

I usually read-aloud stories and point out art elements like colors and shapes. It’s a natural way I teach art language. I can prompt students with questions like “What colors do you see in this picture?” “Can you see lines used in the artwork?” “Can you describe what you see on this page?” “Look how interesting these shapes are.” “What shapes do you see?” “What are your favorite colors used in this art?” “Do you see the small dots?” “Would you like to go to the art shelf and experiment making some of these wavy lines with crayons?”

Fostering Multi-Sensory Learning

Reading to children is positive, but making the experience tactile is even better for cognitive processing. You can give children a different dimension to learning than just audio or visual senses by adding tactile sensory learning to deepen their understanding. Making art is a tactile, multi-sensory experience. For example, let’s say you read to a child a story about a duck; you can give the child an opportunity to create a three-dimensional duck out of clay by sparking lots of questions about the duck’s features, such as its size, color, and shape, further deepening their understanding about the characters or topics in the story. Another example could be looking at rainbows in illustrations. The conversations can go deeper by painting and mixing colors leading to scientific inquiries. Connecting storybooks and art activities is a multi-sensory experience for better comprehension.

Enriches Reading and Writing Techniques

Integrating art with reading and writing work can be exciting for students. Over the past ten years, I have visited many elementary grades as a special guest art teacher. As a result, I’ve had amazing opportunities to team up with other teachers to teach the Great Lessons.

Most of the lessons usually started with me coming into the classroom to teach an art technique, followed by the classroom’s teacher reading about the topic, and finally ending with the students following up with writing exercises related to the artwork they created in my session.

These teachers all reported back to me how their students were super engaged with reading and writing follow-up work because of their art lesson connection to the stories. They also reported to me that writing improved with some of their struggling students. In addition, they felt that the children were more invested in the outcome of how their artwork was reflected and open to writing critiques. 

My favorite Children’s Art Storybooks

Below are three videos where I read stories that can inspire and engage young children in both literacy and their interest in creating art through the Montessori art methods.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, illustrator of the Judy Moody, Narrated by Art Teacher Spramani Elaun

Henri’s Scissors, by Jeanette Winter, Narrated by Art Teacher Spramani Elaun

Lines that Wiggle by Candace Whitman (Author), Steve Wilson (Illustrator), Narrated by Art Teacher Spramani Elaun

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Montessori Teaching Art Lessons – 3 Tips For Teaching Art Lessons

Montessori Teaching Art Lessons – Plan, Organize, and Prepare

3 Tips for Teaching Art Lessons – Plan, Organize, and Prepare

Teaching messy art lessons can be stressful and have you quickly unraveling like a wet noodle!

Whether you are working with one child at home or shuffling large groups into your Montessori classroom each hour, the following tips will help. These tips are from my signature Art Teaching Blueprint™ training course.

teaching art lessons

Where to Start: Plan, Prepare and Organize

Plan

Always be sure you have created the art lesson ahead of time before you present it to your students. You will be able to work out the bugs and know how the artistic process will unfold.

Prepare

By doing the project ahead of time, you can test the quality of the materials, be sure you have plenty on hand and know they will yield the results you expect

Organize

Organize the materials to ensure they are ready for children to work in groups by having them staged on a shelf or table. When I have art materials staged, it’s easier for independent students to work and get their material, and it’s easy for me to get young students what they need by having everything staged ahead of time.

Additional Tips

Working smaller is my best signature tip that I can share here. It gives me more control as an art teacher. By shrinking all the materials, like papers, paintbrushes, and mediums, I can control the messy outcomes. I share this tip in many of my videos and books. I live by this rule. I’m still able to provide a quality art program; I just have children work smaller to help maintain the large masses.

If you want to learn more about my art teaching method, you can visit my blogs, watch my free videos, or order my books and digital courses.

Inspiring children to be creative and use their imagination should not put us as parents and teachers at the mercy of chaotic art lessons. I promise if you use these tips, you will love teaching children art lessons.

https://spramani.lpages.co/painting-materials-checklist

One Step Further: 7 Must-Have Painting Materials Checklist!

No more messy paint projects! 🎨

Ever had an art activity explode in your classroom and swore never to paint with kids again?

I have . . . lots of times, and it taught me some very valuable lessons I can now laugh about! 😂

Well, it’s not your fault. It’s truly all in the set-up before you even get started.

I totally get it, and I’m here to share my painting set-up tips and hacks!

There’s no way to know the secrets to painting with kids unless you’ve painted with tens of thousands of kids of all ages like I have!

DOWNLOAD THE FREE CHECKLIST

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How-to PAINT PAPER like Eric Carle | Montessori Art

How-to PAINT PAPER like Eric Carle | Montessori Art

A fun Montessori art activity: Paint paper like Eric Carle

Every summer, I host art camps in San Diego, and my students’ top favorite project to do with me is to paint papers! In this post, we will teach you how to paint paper and collage like artist and author Eric Carle.

So I thought I would share this fun Montessori art activity you could introduce to your students.

I like to give my students unusual tools, bright paint colors, different colored papers, and crazy things to make interesting textures and patterns.

This also prepares papers for future projects that can be cut and collaged into interesting shapes.

Teach the Elements and Principles of Design concepts

This is also a great way to teach the Elements and Principles of Design concepts texture and patterns, a vital art standard topic children should learn in Montessori art lessons.

The artist and author Eric Carle is famous for doing this fun and vibrant method in his book illustrations.

Eric Carle is famous for PAINTED PAPERS and collaging them into beautiful creatures featured in all his books. 

Eric Carle, artist and children’s book author

Paint paper like Eric Carle
How-to PAINT PAPER like Eric Carle | Montessori Art

What is paint paper?

Painted paper is basically paint applied onto paper. 

You can paint plain white paper or colored paper. 

Paper painting can be created with different mediums like watercolor, gel paints, tempera, or acrylic paints (any paint). 

Children painting colors

What can you do with painted paper?

Like Eric Carle, the famous artist, paint the papers first, let them dry second, then third cut them up into new collage artworks.

Collaging with painted papers
ColColl

Eric Carle’s famous painting papers created The Very Hungry Caterpillar book with this unique painted technique.

Montessori art painting supplies

What tools do you need to make painted papers?

  • Paint mediums
  • Paper
  • Paintbrushes
  • Interesting objects that make patterns and textures
  • Drying rack
  • Interesting tools
Painting supplies

Painted papers can be taught in a process-based manner

Process-based painting is more about the experience rather than following directions.

When kids paint process-based, they are able to go in any direction they choose.

They can explore any texture, use any color, and have any outcome happen, but have very cool painted paper; they can later cut turn into another art piece.

Process-based art lessons and painted papers are a great way to start teaching Montessori art lessons.

Spramani Elaun

Early Childhood Guide – Book

You’ll learn:

  • The importance of early Art Literacy
  • How to speak the ‘Artist Language’
  • The art subjects students need to know
  • The characteristics of child artists
  • Methods and approaches to teaching
  • How to create art activity environments
  • The best art materials for your classroom
  • How to plan level-appropriate activities

Buy Guide Now!

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