Posted on

Teach Process Based Activities | Early Childhood

Teach Process Based Activities | Early Childhood, girls making clay modeling art

I’ve noticed how children explore their creativity and expand their imagination through art activities. Art plays a important role in the holistic development of a creative child, with the cornerstone being process based art.

Upon my initial visits to Montessori schools and interactions with teachers, particularly those in Plane 1 and early childhood education, many tend to overlook the idea of teaching art to young children. They are both right and wrong in their approach. While this may seem contradictory, let’s delve deeper into this concept together.

Teach Process Based Activities | Early Childhood, boy with clay

When it comes to instructing art to toddlers and students aged 3-6, the actual act of teaching them specific art concepts is not always necessary. Why is that? Children need to engage in the process of creating art before delving into formal art instruction.

Understanding and recognizing process based art can be challenging. The objective of this blog post is to provide you with clarity on what process art is for early childhood education. Let’s explore what process-focused art encounters should entails.

Understanding Process Based Art

Process art revolves around the experience itself; the emphasis is solely on engaging in art activities. In process art, there’s no concern about the final appearance of the artwork. Young learners are not expected to produce realistic or visually appealing pieces at this stage; they will delve into more intricate skills as they grow older. Currently, they are in a phase of exploration.

Teach Process Based Activities | Early Childhood

Exploration and experimentation play pivotal roles in process art for toddlers and young children. Their problem-solving abilities evolve through their involvement in process based activities.

By allowing youngsters to explore, experiment, and learn from mistakes, a stream of unique and imaginative artworks emerges. When children have the freedom to play and express themselves, they develop creative thinking skills. Additionally, process art enhances their fine motor skills, spatial intelligence, and cognitive reasoning.

For early childhood learners, engaging in the artistic process through process-based projects holds greater significance—it is the fundamental way in which children truly grasp art concepts.

Teach Process Based Activities | Early Childhood

Teaching Process Based Art

Process-based art is all about giving students room to explore their own art-making techniques. However, there should be a light, very simplistic introductory instructions on how mediums can work or be used. (This helps mitigate any messes and empowers children with the confidence to create.) I recommend showing early childhood students how mediums might turn out and the different techniques that can be achieved with each.

When teaching process art making, encourage students to experiment. Inspire them to be unique and original. Make sure they know that any type of exploration is great, and there is no wrong way to use mediums and attempt whatever they choose to create.

With process-based art, time is irrelevant, meaning they can go back and add to an older project during a different art-making session.

Process-Based Art, pictures of kids artworks, watercolor

Common Mistakes in Process Art

When it comes to teaching process-based art, educators, despite their good intentions, can sometimes make errors. Here are some dos and don’ts to enhance your students’ process art experiences:

  • Don’t: Present art lessons as step-by-step instructions (reserve this for older students);
  • Do: Allow children the freedom to create without strict guidelines.
  • Don’t: Impose a right or wrong way to create a project;
  • Do: Encourage exploration and validate all creative outputs.
  • Don’t: Expect children’s artwork to mirror samples or be recognizable images;
  • Do: Appreciate that young learners are still developing their artistic skills, resulting in unique creations.
  • Don’t: Discourage students from experimenting with unfamiliar mediums;
  • Do: Provide space for creativity and individuality.
  • Don’t: Correct or push children to replicate examples;
  • Do: Embrace the idea that process art values the journey over the final outcome.

Free Mini Digital Video Course!

I hope this help gives you a understanding of how process-based art can work in the Montessori classroom. If you would like to learn more how to nurture children in the visual arts, register for my FREE mini digital course, Phases of Art Development Video.

3 to 6 Art – Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Resources

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.

Buy Process Based Art Teaching Books
process based art guide, by spramani good for Montessori, book cover

All rights reserved © 2024, 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.

Posted on

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.
3 to 6 Art – Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Resources

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.


Sensory Cognitive Child Art Method, montessori

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!

3 to 6 Art – Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Resources

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).

3 to 6 art guide for Montessori education

Buy Guide Now!

All rights reserved © 2024, 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.

Posted on

5 NEW Ways to Tackle Montessori Art Projects

Montessori art calendar project ideas

5 NEW Ways to Tackle Montessori Art Projects This School Year

By Spramani Elaun

The funny thing about art is that it should be creative—spontaneous even—but as Montessori teachers we can sometimes get stuck in a rut and begin to teach the same art lessons over and over again. I don’t want that to happen to you! Not this school year at least!

It’s back-to-school season, and I know you are gearing up for another awesome year, so I wanted to give you a little push and a little inspiration on tackling art this year. There are so many ways to teach art to your students, and I’d love to help find your creativity in any way I can (so feel free to reach out if every you feel like you’re in a slump!).

I know how busy you are with planning your school year and putting the finishing touches on your classroom, so for now, here are five ideas for new ways to bring art into your classroom.

5 NEW Ways to Tackle Montessori Art This School Year

1. New medium

Is there a medium that you didn’t get the chance to use last year, but you’ve really been wanting to give it a go? Now’s your chance! Cross off a bucket-list lesson and spring for a new medium. Or pop into your local art store and browse the aisles until something strikes your fancy. The possibilities are endless! Think about the brilliant colors of oil pastels, modeling clay, seeds, beans, paint swatches (from the local hardware store), and even “found” items like recycled cardboard, magazines, or plastics.

montessori art ideas, jelly fish art project

2. New Art Projects

More than likely, you’re going to start the year by teaching the Great Lessons. And, chances are, you’re going to have a stack of story books that you’ll use and share with your students. So why not look to those books for inspiration? You can highlight the artist’s illustrations or just pull ideas or scenes from the book and make that into an art project. Try extending this idea and move past the story books and into different subjects. For example, if you’re studying the cosmos, create an art project based on that topic.

5 NEW Ways to Tackle Montessori Art This School Year

Over the summer I shared the the book “Hole in the Bottom of the Sea” with kids in my art camp. It shows sealife like jellyfish, crabs, sharks, and seaweed, in a really fun, colorful way. Once we were done reading the book, we made fun painted crafts and created sharks out of up-cycled paper rolls. We also did fish sponge stamps, paper plate jellyfish, crab stamps, and fish-shaped water paintings complete with googly eyes. This one book provided so much inspiration, and it was easy for the kids to make connections to what they had learned about the ocean.

montessori art projects

If you’re ever stuck for ideas, Pinterest can be a huge life saver. Just log on, type in the theme or topic you have in mind, add “art project” or “craft” to your search, and you’ll instantly have hundreds of options to choose from! Likewise, your peers and fellow teachers can be a great resource in helping you come up with new art projects this school year. (Follow my Pinterest Boards here)

3. Ask Parents to Help Out

There are two ways parents can really help with art in your classroom, the first is by providing a few of the supplies. At the beginning of the school year, send out a supply list request and ask parents to contribute or donate what they can. You can create a specific wish list or let parents give the supplies they find the most interesting. Most parents understand that art supplies can be expensive and will be willing to help out.

The other way parents can inspire your art lessons is by through volunteering and teaching an art project themselves. So many teachers have shared with me that they’ve invited parents to teach an art project based on their heritage or culture, and it’s always a big hit with students. For instance, I saw one parent come into a classroom and show the kids how to create tinfoil art; the parent presented the entire lesson and the teacher and aides helped the students put it into action.

4. Start Off with an Inspiration Gallery

I’d encourage you to find a spot in your classroom to specifically highlight visual art. You can post students’ artwork or pull together items and pieces that inspire you. A focal point like this not only supports art literacy, but having a place where students can see other artwork will actually inspire them to come up with some really amazing ideas of their own. It might even lead to some inspiration for a few projects for you!

montessori art shelf, how to set up

5. Let the Art Shelf Do Its Job

If you haven’t already set up an art shelf in your classroom, this year is the year to do it! I just posted a blog on art shelf essentials. When your art shelf is stocked and all the art supplies are visible and within reach, students can have at it whenever inspiration strikes.

There you have it! I just wanted to give you a few quick tips to help you approach art with a fresh perspective this year. If you’re still stumped for ideas, check out my book “Introducing Visual Arts to the Montessori Classroom;” in it, I list out tons of ideas (organized by theme and subject), so that can serve as inspiration when you need it as well. And if you haven’t already, sign up for my newsletter—every month I’ll be sharing an awesome, really-detailed art lesson specific to the Montessori classroom.

 

3 to 6 Art – Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Resources

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.

All rights reserved © 2024, 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.

Posted on

10 Back To School Art Tips

Start With 10 Art Tips

I’m excited to share my 10 back to school art tips for the Montessori classroom in this blog! Getting ideas for back to school art lessons might seem challenging if you have no art background. You might wonder which art tip should come first and where to draw inspiration from.

Let me show you how you don’t have to go far to find ideas for your back to school planning and scheduling. Art lesson ideas can come directly from the concepts you’re already teaching in the classroom, from the great lessons to other Montessori books you already own. By simply opening your favorite storybook, you and your students can discover wonderful ideas to create.

Be sure to watch the video ( 10 Back To School Art Tips – For The Montessori Classroom) to understand how you can follow up with art activities after reading your favorite Montessori books.

10 Montessori Back-to-school Art Environment Readiness Tips

If you want to learn more about art literacy, be sure to check out my books. You can further gain knowledge on the basic elements to focus on in each art lesson. Visit my book page for my Early Childhood Montessori Art Guide or Elementary Art Guide, which is filled with plenty of art lesson tips and ideas.

10 tips video highlights

  • Art Shelf: Plan to stage an art shelf in your classroom this year.
  • New Medium: Try out a new medium you didn’t have a chance to explore last year (e.g., oil pastels).
  • Great Lessons: Leverage key lessons as sources of inspiration.
  • Use Story Books: Go through the books you read annually to extract art-making inspiration.
  • Supply List Request: Send out an art supply wish list to parents!
  • Art Planning: Plan ahead with all your other subjects before school starts.
  • Art Helper & Artist Guest: Ask parents if they can volunteer to share a fun cultural art-making idea.
  • Where to Find New Projects: Ask other Montessori teachers for ideas, or check out online resources.
  • Art Album: Plan this year to make an art album where you can quickly add pictures of projects and your observation notes.
  • Inspiration Gallery: Create a space where your students can reflect on their projects and their classmates’ projects.

Implementing the 10 major tips

Make your back to school art experience fun this year! First, set up a special art shelf in your classroom. Try using new art tools and mediums like oil pastels and watercolor. Get some cool ideas from your favorite stories and lessons you are already teaching. Ask parents for art supplies by sending them a wish list, or create an Amazon list. It’s smart to plan your art projects along with the Great Lessons before the year starts. Invite parents to share their interesting cultural art projects too! You can also find new art ideas by talking to your colleagues or looking online on Pinterest. Make an art album to save pictures of your projects, and finally, create a space where you and your students can show off their work. These tips will make art time super fun and creative for you with less stress.

Happy new school year!

Warmly,
Spramani

First year starting an art program For Montessori Children?
Montessori Books – For Elementary Guides, Teaching Art To 6 -12 Children

Order The Montessori Art Guide Today

All rights reserved © 2024, 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.