Creative Activities for 3-6 Montessori Students

Exploring the World Through Art: Creative Activities for 3-6 Year Old Montessori Students

Hello are you new to teaching your Montessori student about visual arts? In this blog I want to give you some general art information if this is totally new to you. I’m a Montessori Art Teacher and the author of several Montessori art guides. And I want to share creative activities 3-6 for your Montessori students. So lets get started… Montessori education is focused on hands-on, experiential learning, and this approach extends to art education as well!

3-6 Art

Art lessons for 3 to 6 Montessori students should be designed to engage all their senses, promote creativity, self-expression, fine-motor movement and independence. To give you an idea of what art lesson activities might look like here are four types of lessons that are well-suited for Montessori students in this age range:

Sensory Art

Sensory art lessons are a great way to engage young children in the creative process. This type of art involves using materials such as clay and paint to support tactile experience. Sensory art projects allow children to explore different textures, colors, and shapes. Sensory art activities support good cognitive function. There are plenty of creative activities that are sensory!

Nature Art

Montessori education emphasizes the importance of connecting with the natural world, so nature-based art projects are a great fit. Nature art can include activities such as making leaf rubbings, creating collages with natural materials like sticks and leaves. Or even painting on these types of natural materials.

Process Based Art

Process Art: Process art is all about the creative process, rather than the end product. This type of art encourages children to experiment with different materials and techniques, and to focus on the experience of creating rather than the final result. Process art projects can include activities such as painting, collages, 3D sculptures and doodling.

Exploring the World Through Art: Creative Activities for 3-6 Year Old Montessori Students art supplies

Storytelling Art

Montessori education emphasizes the importance of storytelling. Storytelling is a wonderful way to connect children to art language through beautiful books. Sharing stories and pointing out the art elements helps children build a rich art language. Art can be a catalyst to teaching primary vocabulary.

So this is just a few examples of what visual arts lools like for 3 to 6 year old Montessori students. Get on my newsletter to start gettting free advise and offerings how to teach art. Sign-up HERE

So overall, art lessons for 3 to 6 year old Montessori students can engage their senses, promote creativity and self-expression, and develop fine motor skills. Sensory art, nature art, process art, and storytelling art are all great options for Montessori students to start with.

If you would like to learn more and get all my resources for teaching for 3-6 Year Old Montessori Students check links below and on the top menu. I have a great FREE video you can take to understand what visual arts should look like for Montessori student.

By Spramani Elaun – Montessori Art Trainer

August 11, 2022July 1, 2024

How To Stage Nature Based Art Activities – Montessori Children

There are so many good reasons to include natural art elements around your home or classroom. These beautiful natural elements can inspire children to create beautiful artworks. Nature has lines, patterns, and textures that can really make fun marks. Natural elements are easy to find around your environments like backyards, school yards, and parks. The other reason to use natural elements is to connect children to the outside world. By going outside to forage for these natural elements you have the opportunity to teach the importance of living biospheres. Here are some nature elements you can forage for:

Elements Nature elements like;

Leaves
Bark
Seeds
Sticks
Stones
Feathers
Seashells
bones
Flowers

Another amazing reason to use nature is it demonstrates resourcefulness! You can teach children to go outside to find objects to create artworks from, rather than going and buying stuff from the store. By using natural items found outdoors in your students’ environment can spark some good conversations! I’ve had some amazing learning opportunities pop up when my students are curious about the outdoors, insects, or animals living in these spaces.

Staging Nature Based Art Activities – Montessori Art, By Spramani Elaun

You can also take your students outdoors through the seasons. They can learn about the seasons and what types of natural elements are there. I find interesting seed pods only a few times a year. I also can only get the right colored leaves in certain seasons. There is so much rich education right outside by using nature based elements.

I have written many Nature Based Art Activity Blogs:

Crafting With Natural Found Objects | Montessori

How to Make Paint, Inks & Dyes from Nature | Montessori Activities

Outdoor Nature Journaling | Montessori Kids

I also have an amazing training called:

Theme Art & The Natural World

About this training

Grow your child’s knowledge about the natural world by taking them outside and challenging them to create focused art based on the nature around them.

Buy this Video Training HERE

September 16, 2019November 10, 2024

Montessori Curriculum | Art Planning Tips

The start of a new school year is the time to get organized for the next nine months (or so) ahead. Of course, you know the general subjects and lesson themes you’re going to teach, but doing your Montessori curriculum planning for the entire school year, or even the next month, can seem overwhelming.

In all honesty, coming up with art lessons for Montessori students just takes a bit of preparation and basic knowledge of what your students are capable of learning and understanding.

Montessori Curriculum for teaching art lessons

I’ve worked with Montessori teachers from all over the world. I know that far too often, art curriculum can take a back seat to other presentations like science, practical life, or language arts. However, it’s SO important for children to be introduced to visual art! You don’t have to deviate far from the Great Lessons to teach it either, in fact, I recommend using a Great Lesson theme as art idea inspiration when you’re creating your Montessori curriculum.

Let’s back up a second, though. I know it can be challenging—stressful even—to try and come up with Montessori art lessons when you have no art experience. Look, I’m a professional artist, I’ve done it! However, truth be told, I rarely get to show off the complete extent of my skills to elementary students, because they’re too young for this type of instruction and aren’t developmentally ready for these types of lessons.

It’s been the norm to think we need to be teaching children the classical Masters along with the elements and principles of design—but that’s not the case! Students struggle to learn those high-level, in-depth concepts because they need a foundation of simple art curriculum first. The truth is you CAN present great art lessons without being an artist!

Montessori color mixing curriculum for first and second plane

Montessori Curriculum – Art Planning

Isn’t that great news!? You don’t have to be an artist to teach your Montessori children art literacy and concepts. (But I do have an online course, Art Teaching Blueprint, that does train you in how to teach art if you’re interested.) As an adult you have enough experience and knowledge to teach a basic one- to two-step Montessori art lesson sequence and activity.

But I know without the proper art training it’s hard to know what a quality art program should actually cover. Or how to go about choosing art lessons, setting up for activities, and creating a schedule for the year. I get it! Let me fast track you with some tips on creating Montessori art lessons.

how to create Montessori curriculum for art

Montessori Curriculum – Where to Start Art Lessons

What you decide to present for your art lessons is entirely up to you. I always suggest trying to integrate art lessons with other lessons you’re already presenting. You might also want to think about cultural special events or the Great Lessons as you map out your Montessori art curriculum lesson plans. For instance, U.S. Earth Day is in April, so your lessons that month can focus on nature and the earth.

Download 3 Step Montessori Art Lesson Planning How-To Guide

Montessori free art lesson guide to building art curriculum

One of the most important factors when it comes to Montessori curriculum planning is staying organized. When I’m training Montessori teachers how to bring art into their classroom and create an art lesson plan, I try to keep it simple by breaking it down into three easy steps.

Basically, you can make art lesson presentations much easier on yourself by:

Planning and scheduling ahead of time
Keeping organized
Ordering materials ahead of time
Integrating important Montessori subjects (to keep you from struggling on what to teach about)
Giving children their own unique way to learn topics
Downloading my Montessori Art Lesson Plan Guide

Because I’ve been in your shoes and know exactly what it’s like to spend all your time searching for Montessori art lesson plans and ideas, I’m helping you out with this handy guide. Download it, keep it in your desk or folder, and refer to it whenever you’re mapping out your curriculum or planning your next art activities. Click here to download the guide.

two drawing curriculum covers, best curriculus for drawing and painting lessons for students 6 12 years of age

Best curriculums for drawing and painting grades 6 – 12 years

These curriculums meet and exceeds the national and international core arts standards for children. It teaches the Elements and Principles of Design and the artistic process through the Science Art Method™. These are sequential step-by-step, drawing lessons that are easy to follow in scope and sequence. So you can save time with prepared lessons that are ready to schedule weekly, biweekly, or monthly. This is the best Montessori art curriculum for early childhood/elementary grades. Children love these fun drawing lessons.

Yes this is a stand-alone curriculum.

Yes this shows you how to teach progressive art skill sets

LEARN MORE:

Drawing Curriculum – ORDER HERE

Painting Curriculum – ORDER HERE

Color Theory Curriculum – ORDER HERE

Clay Modeling Curriculum – ORDER HERE

Publisher: Nature of Art®

First year starting an art program For Montessori Children?

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

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.

February 21, 2019November 11, 2024

3 to 6 Art – Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Resources

Sensory Cognitive Child Art Method, montessori

This is a guide to teaching art literacy to 3 to 6-year-old students. There is a downloadable resource available for Montessori guides. In this blog, I will highlight the important aspects of teaching early childhood art lessons. Below, you will find more information on Montessori Early Childhood for ages 3-6, following the International Arts Standards.

Children of all ages can learn visual arts and benefit from guided artistic exploration. Each developmental stage necessitates specific teaching methodologies and approaches. After extensive research and observation of children’s art education. I have discovered that youngsters acquire diverse artistic skills at various developmental planes. You can get more insights by ordering the book Montessori Art Guide – Early Childhood First Plane HERE

3 to 6 kids painting rocks, early childhood

Art Overview for Ages 3-6

Art making for young children involves exploration and discovery. Montessori students in the first plane, 3 to 6 years old, are prepared for simple art tasks. The most effective approach to teaching art lessons at this stage is through process-based art.

Process-based art focuses on the experience rather than the final artwork’s appearance. It emphasizes exploration and imaginative expression rather than creating recognizable pieces.

3 to 6 Art – Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Resources kids making clay

When implementing process art, provide a brief introduction to how art mediums function and can be utilized. Children in the 3-6 age group are highly curious about art materials and are rapid learners. Art lessons in Montessori early childhood education should encourage students to experiment freely. Without predetermined outcomes, fostering a spirit of exploration.

Incorporating specific activities in the Montessori art curriculum can aid in enhancing young students’ fine motor skills. Engaging in art activities helps refine both large and small muscle groups, promoting controlled movements in young learners. Introducing activities like clay modeling, brush stroking, and safe scissor usage can expedite the development of fine motor skills in children at this stage.

3 to 6 Art – Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Resources

Exploring Different Nature of Art® Modes

Creative-Mode: This mode serves as the foundation for process-based art learning, where children initiate their art-making journey. In creative mode, students are encouraged to explore art mediums without a specific reference or image to replicate. They rely on their imagination, thoughts, and ideas to craft unique creations.
Introducing Copy-Mode: Copy-mode entails structured, step-by-step art instruction. However, in early childhood education, direct replication of images should be avoided. Children at this stage enjoy imitating simple tasks observed in adults, like cleaning, painting, or gardening. Incorporate these activities into art lessons, allowing them to mimic your actions.
Transitioning to Copy-Mode: Begin with students replicating a basic design involving one to two steps. Once they grasp the initial concept, encourage them to transition back to creative-mode. This helps them to personalize and complete their projects according to their imagination and preferences.

Art Activities & Mediums

Explore these engaging Montessori Early Childhood art projects designed for children aged 3 to 6. These activities aim to enhance fine motor control and strengthen small muscles in the fingers and hands. All while providing opportunities to engage in both creative-mode and copy-mode techniques. For the necessary non-toxic and kid-friendly art supplies, you can check out Nature of Art for Kids.

Doodling: Utilize crayons, colored pencils, tempera sticks, and more.
Painting: Experiment with watercolor paints, tempera paints, finger paints, homemade veggie dyes, etc.
Color Theory Play: Engage in activities like watercolor painting, dropper painting, and squeeze bottle painting to explore color theory.
Clay Modeling: Work with materials such as earth clay, homemade playdough, sculpting tools, beeswax, and non-hardening plasteline clay to mold and create.
Simple Crafts: Enjoy activities like paper cutting, string weaving, gluing, block building, and constructing with large popsicle sticks to foster creativity and dexterity.

Early Childhood DOWNLOAD FREE GUIDE

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. Or how to set up an art shelf with the materials. Plus how to teach lessons that actually help early childhood students learn art.

I’m currently selling my brand new, Early 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). 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!

Sign-up to receive video

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.

3 to 6 Art Resources

If you would like to understand more about which types of art projects children can work on, register for my free video course, Phases of Arts Development.

You can learn about Art Literacy Standards and the benefits of visual arts by reading Defining Visual Arts Paperback (paperback book).