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How to Use Montessori Color Tablets for Art Color Lessons

Montessori primary art color droppers for mixing

By Spramani Elaun

Have you ever wondered if you can use Montessori materials for art lessons? For example the Montessori color tablets. Montessori materials can support engaging art experiences. Montessori materials can help you engage your students for learning something new.

Let’s focus on the color tablet box that is typically used to teach chromatic sense. By staging a Montessori color tablet box, we can introduce dynamic art sessions. While Montessori children already have experience with color matching using color tablets. We can use this background knowledge to bridge the gap and teach new visual art ideas. You can use color tablets as an anticipatory set. These color tablets can be a creative and different way to peak our students’ interest. By connecting learned knowledge from tablet matching work, to brand new art color knowledge. So yes you can use Montessori color tablets for preparing children for art color lessons. This can be a fun creative format to open up new color mixing presentations. This is what I mean – to bridge the gap to new knowlege.

Montessori Color Tablets in different colors

Dynamic & Static Color Mixing Work

Working with color tablets in the Montessori classroom is a valuable aspect of practical life education. However, when it comes to fostering art literacy, it’s essential to understand that art is dynamic and spatial in nature. Relying solely on color tablet work may provide a foundation for color matching, but it falls short in teaching color theory. So, think about using color tablets as openers for actual color mixing exercises.

In my books and training, I emphasize the importance between static and dynamic learning. Matching color tablets is considered static information, whereas color mixing entails dynamic learning. By incorporating color matching experiences, we can engage children’s prior knowledge. Then transition them into dynamic color mixing art concepts.

To delve deeper into this topic, I recommend checking out my books/curriculum/Training:

Defining Visual Arts – Book

Kids Color Theory – Book

Kids Color Theory – Curriculum

These resources explore the importance of integrating real color mixing activities into the Montessori curriculum to enhance art literacy. Remember, art should include learning the basics and trying things out to develop a better understanding.

It’s important to note that working with color has no right or wrong way of arranging or mixing colors. The focus shifts towards understanding how color mixtures behave. Like tints, shades, and different secondary color combinations. However, it’s crucial not to rush children into this phase. They need ample practice (play) in exploring color mixing and even experimenting with different types of mediums.

mixing colors green and yellow with montessori students

Building a solid foundation through color tablet work is a fundamental aspect of Montessori philosophy. In color mixing art lessons, it is equally important for children to experiment, record their experiences, and understand how different color mixtures came about. This knowledge will later help them achieve desired colors in their own artistic works.

Color theory lessons can be enjoyed by children of all ages. Color is one of the most important elements taught in visual arts. It’s a vital part of children’s artistic expression. These activities can be by experimenting just with watercolor paints. Children can learn to mix light and dark values of colors.

How-to Use Montessori Color Tablets For Anticipatory Sets

Here are some anticipatory sets ideas you can create using color tablets to engage your students. After engaging your students in a conversation, then follow up with color theory lessons using paint materials.

  1. Set up a prism next to a box of color tablets and ask students to identify what they have in common and what they notice.
  2. Display a color wheel next to a color tablet and guide a discussion on how they are related to artists.
  3. Arrange two primary color tablets on a tray, add a drop of secondary colors (orange, green or violet) of paint, and ask students to find similarities or connections between them.
  4. Place a variety of warm or cool color tablets on a tray and prompt children to share their knowledge of warm and cool colors. As well as compare them to colors in their environment or nature.
  5. Encourage students to explore the differences between primary and secondary color tablets.
  6. Discuss the concept of complementary colors by placing pairs of complementary color tablets together, such as yellow and purple, or green and red.
  7. Discuss how artists achieve different shades from darkest to lightest in their paintings. Show examples of light and dark color tablets next to artworks that demonstrate this concept.

Don’t have color tablets? No worries, you can use color toys or blocks. You can paint and create your own color tablets.

montessori art early childhood

Buy Kids Color Theory Digital or Paperback Book HERE

Montessori Art – Why Teach Primary Color Mixing Curriculum

Buy : Kids Color Theory Curriculum Digital or Paperback HERE

Montessori Art – Why Teach Primary Color Mixing Curriculum

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 Art and Craft | Benefits of Clay Play

Montessori | Benefits of Clay Play, early childhood 3-6 years. Montessori Art and craft | Benefits of Clay Play

By Spramani Elaun

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.

Montessori Clay Play has been found to have positive effects on emotional well-being. Playing with clay can help children regulate stress levels.

However, the benefits of Montessori 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. Clay play aligns perfectly with the Montessori philosophy.

In my early childhood art guide, I discuss this topic and provide more insights into Clay Play for emotional health.

Unsure of where to begin with clay play? Perhaps you’ve struggled with determining the desired outcome of art activity?

Allow me to 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 clay play, this process-based exploratory approach should always come first! Clay play should happen before getting into foundational clay modeling skills.

Montessori arts and crafts| Benefits of Clay Play, student playing clay tools

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.

Montessori Clay Play

Clay comes in various forms, ranging from very messy to less messy options. Additionally, clays can be homemade. Earth clay, in particular, is a wonderful material to introduce to children, similar to making mud pies.

If you’re interested in setting up earth pottery clay play stations, I recommend checking out this book. It contains numerous photos and examples illustrating how to arrange clay play. How to choose suitable clay play materials for children aged 3-6 years old.

Montessori Art and Craft | Benefits of Clay Play book
Montessori Art and Craft | Benefits of Clay Play
Montessori Art and Craft | Benefits of Clay Play, little girl making clay sculptures, clay play session at school
Montessori Art and Craft | Benefits of Clay Play

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. Allowing children to take the lead in their learning and discoveries. By letting the child guide the fun, experiments, and creations, you can enhance their clay experience.

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 forms, attaching pieces, cutting, and carving. If you would like to learn more about my clay curriculum you can view the Clay Modeling Curriculum HERE. Order Clay Play Tools HERE

Montessori clay modeling curriculum for school art lessons, Montessori Art and Craft | Benefits of Clay Play
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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Exploring the World Through Art: Creative Activities for 3-6 Year Old 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.

So lets get started… Montessori education is focused on hands-on, experiential learning, and this approach extends to art education as well!

Art lessons for 3 to 6 Montessori students should be designed to engage their 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 three types of lessons that are well-suited for Montessori students in this age range:

Sensory Art

Nature Art

Process Art

  1. 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.
Exploring the World Through Art: Creative Activities for 3-6 Year Old Montessori Students
  1. Nature Art: Montessori education emphasizes the importance of connecting with the natural world, so nature-based art projects are a great fit for Montessori students. 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.
  1. 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
  1. Storytelling Art: Montessori education emphasizes the importance of storytelling, and this can be extended to art lessons as well. 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. 
Storytelling Art: Montessori education emphasizes the importance of storytelling

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 should be designed to 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

EARLY CHILDHOOD ART VIDEO INFO
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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!

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 Kids Holiday Craft | Painting Ornaments

This time of year is a special one. It gets a lot busier, but we also tend to make time for more special moments—even in the Montessori classroom. Kids’ holiday crafts, like painting ornaments, are a wonderful way to let kids work creatively and independently. I’ve painted ornaments with thousands of kids in classrooms and workshops during the holidays and they all love this holiday craft so much! And it’s something students and their families can keep for years to come! I have kids visit me every year to make a new ornament to add to their collection.

painting ornaments

What makes this kids holiday craft great is that it’s simple to set up and you don’t need very many special items beyond a basic paint kit. I like using woodcraft ornaments because they’re better for the environment than plastic and safe to have around younger kids (versus glass ornaments). 

Here are some tips for setting up this holiday art activity for your students (or kids at home too!). 

Setting Up an Ornament Painting Station

Painting ornaments can seem like a messy project, but if you set up a special area for painting, it’s actually totally stress and mess-free—and really fun!

The space you set up should be in an area where children are allowed to get a little messy. I suggest using a drop cloth, especially if your students are painting inside. You should also provide smocks, aprons, or large old t-shirts for them to wear, so their clothes don’t get messy while they’re creating—some paints do not easily wash off clothes.

It’s much easier for kids to paint if their materials are at eye level and on a flat and sturdy surface (like a table). You may want to put a drop cloth or old newspaper on top of that too.

painting ornaments

Ornament Painting Supplies

Here’s everything you need for this kids holiday craft of painting ornaments:

  • Wooden ornaments – while ‘holiday shapes’ are fun to use, any shape will work
  • Acrylic paint – you will get the best and longest-lasting results if you use acrylic paint
  • Paintbrushes – put out a few sizes, including very fine/tiny ones for details
  • Paint palette – any size palette will work for this holiday craft, even a paper plate
  • Glitter – you can use any color you choose, I personally love white glitter for painting ornaments
  • Smock – or another cover-up to protect kids’ clothes; acrylic will not come out of fabric
  • Napkins – for wiping paintbrushes between color changes
  • Jar – water jar to clean paintbrushes between colors
  • Hairdryer (optional) – for older kids or adults to speed up the drying process and work on details

A note on ornaments: You can find unfinished wood craft shapes at your local superstore or craft stores, or you can find them online as well. You can even use glass orb ornaments, I would just be very careful with younger children. It’s also a great idea to recycle old ornaments! Kids will love adding to the designs or completely “destroying” a design to create their own new one.

A note on paint: For this activity, you want to use acrylic paint, because it’s the most durable and it’ll last the longest. (I still have ornaments my kids painted when they were young and I pull them out every year during the holidays!) It’s very important to use kid-safe, non-toxic acrylic paint—you can buy some here.

Where to Start: Choose the Right Ornament Painting Color Palette

I really encourage you to allow children to paint whatever they want—they don’t have to stick with traditional holiday themes. However, more than likely, they will choose symbols of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other winter holidays. Most of the children I’ve worked with choose to paint shapes like stars, Christmas trees, Santas, and snowmen.

These are some great colors to start with:

  • Red
  • Black
  • White
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Dark Green
  • Yellow
  • Orange
  • Pink
  • Purple
  • Brown
  • Burgundy deep red

If you don’t have all these colors, that’s okay; students will be able to make beautiful holiday ornaments with just three to four colors too!

Don’t forget, if students are using glitter for their ornaments, make sure they sprinkle it on their ornaments while the paint is still wet. If they wait until their ornament is completely dried, the glitter won’t stick and it’ll just fall off.

One Step Further: Download My FREE Kids Holiday Crafts Painting Checklist

If you haven’t done very many painting activities with your students, you’re in for a real treat—kids love this craft! It’s so simple to set up, you can do this with your students a few times during the holiday season. Or, you can expand on this activity and do rock painting and just painting on paper. The materials stay the same, the images, paint colors, and canvases are the only things that may need to change.

With any painting project, as long as children have the right painting materials, they will learn and have fun! If you want a free downloadable version of the paint materials listed above (plus a few more), get my Kids Painting Materials Checklist now by clicking here.

A Short Cut Just for You

Once you see how much your students love painting, you’re going to want to include it as a regular part of your curriculum. My Kids Painting Practice & Process Curriculum has 57 master lessons that walk students through everything they need to know to be successful at painting, from setting up a paint station and holding a brush all the way to creating beautiful nature landscapes and painting different types of animals!

Each lesson is part of a sequence and includes all the components, tips, materials lists, and instructions you need to ensure you will be able to actually teach your students to become skilled painters. All you have to do is simply follow the instructions and easily present the activities to your students.

Kids Painting Practice & Process Curriculum sets the foundation for their art education and will help them transform into little artists! To purchase the curriculum, click here.

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Easy Montessori Halloween Crafts for Kids

It’s hard to believe that it’s already October and Halloween is upon us! I love Halloween! I love the creativity that comes with it—the fun costumes, the sweet treats, and the spooky crafts! These easy Montessori Halloween crafts for kids are the perfect way to bring the Halloween season—and a little fun—into your classroom!

If you’re like most of us right now, Halloween snuck up on you. Its a fun busy season for everyone!

pumpkin painting, teach kids art ideas, spramani elaun

Not to worry though! I’ve rounded up some last-minute, super easy Halloween crafts you can put together for you students (or your kids at home) with stuff you likely have around the house already.  

Where to Start: 5 Last-Minute, Easy Montessori Halloween Crafts

Here are some easy Montessori Halloween crafts for kids that you can pull together in just a few minutes!

1. Stamped Halloween Ghosts

If you have paper, a pencil, a pair of scissors, and some paint, you can do this project! Have your students or children draw out a ghost shape on a piece of paper, then cut it out. Place that cut out on top of another piece of paper, then dip the pencil eraser in paint and stamp along the edge of the paper. When you remove the paper, it’ll reveal spooky ghost shapes! 

rock painting for halloween, spramani elaun, nature of art

2. Halloween Rock Painting

This is one of my favorite painting projects to do with kids any time of year! You can find rocks outside (or at a craft store), and then all you need is paint and a paintbrush. For Halloween, I like to encourage children to make spooky designs, like ghosts, monsters, jack-o’-lanterns, and even Frankenstein. For full instructions on how to set up this easy Halloween craft, click here.

3. Toilet Paper Roll Spider Stamp + Craft

You might have to dig through your recycle bin for this one, but the supplies are pretty basic! Start by making four even cuts on each side of a toilet paper roll; and then cut off a square piece on both sides, in between the sets of legs. Fold the ends back and then dip the stamp into black paint and stamp it onto paper. This will give you an outline for a spider that children can then decorate! Once they’re done using the stamps, they can then paint them, add some eyes, and now they have a spooky spider craft too!

painting pumpkins with art teacher spramani elaun

4. Pumpkin Painting

Stores are still filled with pumpkins of all sizes, and believe it or not, they make the perfect canvas for painting projects for kids! I love this activity because kids of all ages can do it—you don’t have to worry about little hands and sharp knives like you would for carving pumpkins! If you want pumpkin painting ideas and details on how to set up a painting area, click here.

montessori halloween ideas, spramani elaun, nature of art, bat template

5. Black Bat Silhouettes

This paper bat craft is a great one to do around Halloween. You will be cutting paper, learning how to teach your students about concentric circles and splattering paint. Click here for download and video insturctions

kids painting ideas, spramani

https://spramani.lpages.co/painting-materials-checklistOne Step Further: Download My FREE Kids Painting Materials Checklist

As you can see, all these last-minute Halloween projects involve painting. Painting is such an easy project to set up and kids love it. With just a basic tool kit of painting materials, you’ll always be ready to set up a quick painting activity for your kids. If you want a free downloadable version of the paint materials listed above (plus a few more), get my Kids Painting Materials Checklist now by clicking here.

paint curriculum, art for kids, montessori book

A Short Cut Just for You

Once you see how much your students love painting, you’re going to want to include it as a regular part of your curriculum. My Kids Painting Practice & Process Curriculum has 57 master lessons that walk students through everything they need to know to be successful at painting, from setting up a paint station and holding a brush all the way to creating beautiful nature landscapes and painting different types of animals!

Each lesson is part of a sequence and includes all the components, tips, materials lists, and instructions you need to ensure you will be able to actually teach your students to become skilled painters. All you have to do is simply follow the instructions and easily present the activities to your students.

Kids Painting Practice & Process Curriculum sets the foundation for their art education and will help them transform into little artists! To purchase the curriculum, click 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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Are You Ready to Teach Montessori Art?

How do I Teach Montessori Art?

Are You Ready to Teach Montessori Art?

When was the last time you thought about how to present Montessori art lessons in your classroom?

Maybe you’ve tried leading an art project once, and chaos ensued, leaving a huge mess behind. Or maybe you started pulling ideas together only to get overwhelmed at how much you thought you actually had to do. Or maybe you’ve completely shied away from teaching your students art altogether because you have no idea where to start.

First of all, I want to commend you for even thinking about adding art to your Montessori lessons! It’s a big deal, and you’ve already taken the first step!

I’ve been teaching and working in visual art for almost three decades, specifically focusing on helping Montessori teachers bring art programming into their classrooms over the last 10 years or so, and I’ve developed a truly unique method for teaching students.

I dive deeper into how my art teaching method was developed and how it works in this blog post, but today, I want to share the one thing you really need—even without any prior knowledge—to bring art into your classroom.

  • Are You Ready to Teach Montessori Art?

Where to Start

Sticking with the basis of the Montessori, you want any art lesson in your classroom to allow your students to work independently and explore the joys of art on their own. That’s why you always want to make sure you’re providing your students with independent projects that engage their imaginations.

Instruction should be minimal. While you want to give material presentations and demonstrations, beyond that, students should have the freedom to explore.

It helps to have an art shelf or inspiration gallery in your classroom, as well as a space that’s been designated specifically for art projects. You can look at these as tools to help students find ways to create art even without specific lessons or guidelines.

  • montessori art curriculum
    Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography | aquarium.ucsd.edu

One Step Further

Of course, you want to add some level of structure or reason to the art projects your students create. Ideally, I’d recommend finding ways to connect the Montessori art projects you teach to the Great Lessons.

Using art as a tool to supplement other things you’re teaching—such as the The Story of the Universe—helps instill the concepts in their minds. Creating art can offer a different perspective and larger context on different subjects, such as history, science, and communication. And the more you introduce art into their world the stronger their art literacy grows, helping them become curious, courageous artists and learners.

One reason I encourage tying art back to Montessori Great Lessons is because they offer so much inspiration! They tend to excite students and spark their curiosities, imaginations, and creativity. Take a look at the books that are in your classroom—the art within those pages can lead to project ideas. Check out this blog post for more ideas on incorporating the Great Lessons into your art lessons.

how to teach kid montessori art lessons and crafts

A Short Cut Just for You

Montessori early childhood

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!

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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.

Cosmic Rock Painting | Montessori Art Lesson
Born With a Bang –Book

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:

  1. Paint the surface of the rock black, let dry
  2. 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.

acrylic rock painting art kids

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!

Sign-up to receive video course & Montessori art teaching e-newsletter.

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.

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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Ultimate Montessori Art Teaching Method Guide

Ultimate Montessori Art Teaching Method Guide

I’ve worked with so many Montessori teachers who have never been taught art curriculum and have no idea how kids learn art. I’ve been in that boat before; it took me many years of working with children of all ages to really understand exactly how they learn art and what are skills they’re capable of at each age. I’m saving you from years of research and observation by creating and sharing the Ultimate Montessori Art Teaching Method Guide.

I designed this guide specifically for Montessori teachers. It covers the two Montessori planes, and each section in this guide is linked to a more detailed posts for each age.

This guide is the cumulation of more than three decades of experience working in the visual arts! I’m an artist turned mom, turned homeschool mom, turned art teacher and art manufacturer, and now I’m a Montessori art teacher trainer. My art teaching method has been taught to tens of thousands of children internationally, and now, I’m bringing the best of my knowledge and experience into the classroom of Montessori teachers.

Ultimate Montessori Art Teaching Method Guide

My Art Teaching Method

I spent ten years observing children of all ages creating artworks so that I could understand recognizable cognitive patterns that revealed how children develop their skill sets. I’ve put this research on sensory art methods into studio-based practice and have seen success in many different environments.

This method is unlike any other way of teaching art. It’s designed to give children art skills that are aligned with their cognitive milestones—cognitive processing, visual perception, and fine-motor development. The goal is to wire implicit memory through all phases of development from early childhood through adolescence.

My art teaching method is extremely complementary to the Montessori way; it’s a natural progression for Montessori teachers and schools to enrich their programs and the enjoyment of the children they work with. This method connects visual art skill sets with creative thinking through sensorial experiences. Once you have an understanding of this Montessori art teaching method, you’ll be able to adapt your Montessori art curriculum to children’s three-part cognitive system (cognitive processing, visual perception, and fine-motor development), and help your students develop the necessary artistic high-order thinking needed to become artful.

Ultimate Montessori Art Teaching Method Guide

How to Use This Guide

I invite you to read through this post to gain a high-level view of how this teaching method adapts to each Montessori plane. Then, click on each specific age range to find out how to effectively teach children based on their cognitive capabilities. As always, if you have questions, leave a comment, send me an email, or jump onto my exclusive Facebook page and let me know!

  • Ultimate Montessori Art Teaching Method Guide

Early Childhood (Toddler)

Many people mistakenly think that toddlers cannot yet learn art, but that’s not the case. In early childhood, toddlers see art making as exploratory and a discovery-based experience. Young students in the Montessori art first plane do not yet understand the placement of visual arts, and are in a very curious state about mediums. At this age, children should explore art mediums without any expected outcome.

The best way to teach early childhood students is through process-based art. This means the focus on is on the experience and the process, not on the child’s final piece of artwork.

Teaching art to early childhood toddler students helps tremendously in improving their fine motor skills, which are essential to everyday tasks. To learn more about art teaching methods for this age group, read this blog.

Ultimate Montessori Art Teaching Method Guide

Early Childhood (3-6 Years)

Students in early childhood should continue to learn primarily through process-based art. Children who are 3-6 years of age are quick learners and curious about art, so give them room to explore and experiment.

You want to allow students to make art in creative mode, using their own own imaginations, thoughts, and ideas for inspiration. At this age you can begin to introduce copy-mode, but limit your instruction to movement rather than copying an image.

For more information on exactly how to balance creative mode and copy mode for early childhood students, check out this post.

Montessori Art Teaching Ideas

Lower Elementary

Children at the lower L age are able to come up with their own imaginative creations, plan with intention, and think their ideas through to completion, going through the four steps of the artistic process.

At this age, lower elementary students approach art making with lots of curiosity and enthusiasm for trying different techniques and mediums. You can start introducing line, shape, form, texture, color, and symmetrical balance ideas.

Art can be taught to students through process-based art, a continuation of creative mode, and very simplistic copy mode.

If you want a more detailed explanation of how to art teaching methods for lower L students, read this post.

How to Montessori Art Teaching Guide

Upper Elementary

Students in upper L can go through the artistic process, conjure up their own ideas, and see them through to completion. They’re able to do reflective work, bringing meaning to their creations and making connections to artworks in their community.

You can teach students Montessori art lessons through a combination of process-based art, creative mode, and copy mode.

By the time students are in upper elementary, they’re extremely competent when it comes to their fine-motor skills. Allow them to experiment with different mediums, techniques, and perspectives.

For more information on upper elementary art teaching methods, read this post.

Montessori Art Teaching Methods 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, which discusses teaching methods for Montessori students.

Montessori art book for teaching students

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

Sign-up to receive video course & Montessori art teaching e-newsletter.

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.

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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Early Childhood Montessori Art Teaching Method (3-6 Years)

Sensory Cognitive Child Art Method, montessori

I’ve spent years and years researching and observing how children learn art, and what I’ve found is that children are able to grasp different artistic skills at different planes. In this new blog series, I’ll be sharing my insight on the art teaching methods that work for each age group of Montessori students.

Children of all ages can be taught visual arts and be guided through the artistic process. Each developmental phase requires different teaching styles and approaches.

Below you’ll find a general arts literacy guide for Montessori Early Childhood ages 3-6, which follows the International Standards for the Arts Education & Sensory Visual Arts method that aligns with a child’s growth™.

Early Childhood Montessori

Montessori Early Childhood Art Teaching Methods Resources

Sign-up to receive video course & Montessori art teaching e-newsletter.

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.

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, which discusses teaching methods for Early Childhood Montessori students.

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

Get more information on how to bring art lessons into the Montessori classroom by reading Introducing Visual Arts into the Montessori Classroom (paperback book).

If you would like to understand more about the phases of art development, register for this free mini digital course.

art literacy standards, montessori

Early Childhood Art Teaching: 3 to 6 Years

For young children, art making is an exploratory- and discovery-based experience. Students in the Montessori first plane and who are aged 3 to 6 years are ready for simple art making tasks. They’re now able to make connections to their own imagination.

Learning Through Process-Based Art

The best instruction method to introducing art lessons is through process-based art, creative-mode, and copy-mode, with the goal of building implicit memory.

Process-based art is about the experience and the process; it’s not focused on the child’s final piece of artwork or whether it resembles art adults can recognize, but rather, it’s about exploring and using their own imagination.

When teaching by process art, you should give a brief introductory instruction on how mediums work and can be used. Children who are 3-6 years of age are very curious about art mediums and their results. They’re also quick learners. Montessori early childhood art lessons should allow students to explore art mediums without any expected outcome. Give students opportunities to focus on experimentation.

By providing specific activities in your Montessori art classroom, you can actually help young students develop and refine their small motor muscles. Creating art helps develop both large and small muscles, which improves young students’ controlled movements. I will usually start young students off with clay modeling, paint brush stroking, and activities using safety scissors—each of these help them strengthen their fine motor skills more quickly.

montessori art standards

Continuing with Creative-Mode

Creative-mode is how children first learn to create art. It is the basis of process-based art learning. In creative mode, you should refrain from giving students a point of reference or image to copy. The child creates art by exploring the medium and conjuring up their own creative images from their own imaginations, thoughts, and ideas.

Introducing Copy-Mode

Copy-mode refers to a systematic, step-by-step art instruction. But in early childhood, you don’t want to yet introduce copy what you see in the image-type lessons. At this stage, children love to mimic easy task the see adults do, such as sweeping, cleaning, sewing, painting, cutting, and gardening. Bring this into your art lessons, and allow them to copy your movements.

Introduce copy-mode by having students copy a simple design (one that only involves one to two steps). Once they have the basic design complete, let them continue on in creative-mode and finish their projects however they want.


Montessori 3 to 6 ages art

Early Childhood Art Activities & Mediums

Here are some great Montessori Early Childhood art projects for your students who are ages 3 to 6. These types of art activities will help develop their fine motor control and small muscles in fingers and hands; they also allow room to utilize creative-mode and copy-mode during activities. (You can find non-toxic, kid-friendly art supplies needed for these art projects at Nature of Art for Kids.)

  • Doodling: crayons, color pencils, tempera sticks, etc.
  • Painting: watercolor paints, tempera paints, finger paints, homemade veggie dyes, etc.
  • Color Theory Play: watercolor painting, dropper painting, squeeze bottle painting, etc.
  • Clay Modeling: earth clay, homemade play dough, pressing sculptures, beeswax forming, non-hardening plastine clay, etc.
  • Simple Crafts: cutting paper, weaving string, glueing, building with blocks, large popsicle-stick structures, etc.

A Short Cut Just for You

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, 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), 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!

Montessori early childhood

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!

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.