Will (1 1/2) at the easel in 1986.
What did we do for homeschool art? Considering that our children inherited the genes of two drawing/painting-challenged individuals, my husband and I were lucky to have Montessori principles to give our children an enjoyable – even rewarding – experience with homeschool art.
1. We had an easel with paints available for Will and Christina to use when they were younger. Will and Christina chose when they wanted to paint. They learned to use an apron and to close the paint jars and clean the paintbrushes at the end of each painting session.
2. We had art projects throughout the year. Will and Christina could do the art projects together or separately, depending on their interest. They typically enjoyed working together, each at their own level.
In Montessori schools, children don’t do art projects as a group like they do in most day-care centers and nursery schools. Instead, the teacher introduces an art project at line time (the group time when the children sit on an ellipse or circle taped to the floor). After it is introduced, the project is typically placed on a tray on the art shelf. The children might work on the art project one at a time, or two or three children might decide to work with the material together. In the same way, I had art projects available on trays on shelves in our homeschool.
Christina (3) at the easel in 1993.
3. We emphasized art appreciation. There are wonderful Montessori-oriented materials for that. We used the art postcards from the Child-Size Masterpieces series as well as visits to art museums and lots of books on artists.
3. As Will and Christina grew older, their interests dictated their art direction. Will learned to draw 3-D designs from a book and enjoyed that as a major focus of his drawing. Christina enjoyed 3-D drawing books as well, but she was more interested in crafts. We had friends and small groups of homeschoolers with similar interests to encourage Christina’s interest in sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and beadwork.
5. Performing arts is where our homeschool really came to life. But that again came from our children’s interests. Will enjoyed performing as part of his figure skating, and Christina was always a dancer and performer.
What part of the arts captures your child’s interest?
Thanks Deb – I just love all your little nuggest of wisdom you keep passing down to us now! So appreciate you! I like how you appointed out – an appreciate for art!
Stef
The Homeschool Village
Thank you for your comment, Stef! I so appreciate you, too, and everything you do for homeschooling parents! Homeschool Village is awesome – and I really enjoy thinking about your theme for the week.
I’ve introduced an art project in the past as a Montessori guide would do but then I’ve found that the project never gets finished. How would you go about this? Thanks for this post and especially for the pictures.
Thanks for your comment, Evelyn! I think I might ask if the child would like to work on the project some more. Or I ask if two children would want to work together with the art project – especially if a child had just become distracted and would enjoy finishing the project.
I love your child-led approach!
Thanks so much for your nice comment, Lexi! I absolutely love Montessori’s ideas on child-led learning. I’m excited that Montessori principles have been expanded to religious education as well. I just completed a Godly Play training, which was wonderful and inspirational on child-led religious formation!
Georgia really enjoys pasting things down now, so we are using a lot of stickers and starting to work on collages. I cut out lots of objects from magazines, glue-stick a whole sheet of paper, and then let her stick things down to her heart’s content. I love this post – it’s giving me lots of great ideas!
Thanks for your kind words, Laura! It sounds like you’re creating some wonderful memories with your daughter! Have fun!
What an interesting blog! I am a mother of a one year old son, and also an educator, so your blog appeals to me on many levels. I am interested to know what drew you to Montessori, and how you feel it has helped your children…
Stopping by from the SITS 31DBBB Challenge!
Thanks so much for visiting, Katie! I was drawn to Montessori because of my frustrations with teaching at a traditional day care center. The dramatic, positive changes I saw in the children when I converted my classroom to a Montessori-oriented classroom made me fall totally in love with Montessori education. I’ve seen SO many positive results in my own children from accelerated learning (without striving for it) to self-discipline to retaining a love of learning into adulthood. I really enjoy sharing ideas and experiences from Montesori/homeschooling with other parents and teachers.