Exploring Famous Artists with Preschoolers Lesson Plan

I earn commissions from my affiliated links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.

Inspired by some of the greatest artists in history, educators have discovered that even the tiniest talents can flourish in the right environment. Teaching preschoolers about famous artists can be a fun and engaging way to introduce them to art and creativity.

Teaching creativity through renowned artistic styles isn’t just academic; it’s a dance of discovery, expression, and joy.

In this blog post, we’ll explore a simple way to bring the vibrant world of renowned artists into the formative years of a child’s art education—transforming a routine day at preschool into the next step on a lifelong journey of artistic exploration.

Famous Artists with Preschoolers Lesson Plan

Lesson Objective:

Introduce preschoolers to the world of art and famous artists.
Encourage creativity and self-expression through art activities inspired by famous artists.

Materials Needed:

Pictures or prints of artworks by famous artists (e.g., Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Picasso’s “The Weeping Woman,” Monet’s “Water Lilies”).
Age-appropriate books or stories about famous artists.
Art supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint, brushes, paper, scissors, glue, and aprons).
Images or pictures of the famous artists themselves.

Step by Step Preschool Lesson Plan on Famous Artists

Introduction (10 minutes):

Gather your preschoolers in a circle and start by showing them pictures or prints of famous artworks.
Ask if they know what art is and what they see in the pictures.

Storytime (10 minutes):

Read a picture book or share a story about a famous artist’s life. You can choose age-appropriate books that highlight artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, or Claude Monet. This can help them understand the lives of these artists.

Artist Introduction (15 minutes):

Show images or pictures of the famous artists and briefly discuss who they were and what they were known for. Keep it simple and engaging for preschoolers.

Art Activity (30 minutes):

Choose one famous artist to focus on for the art activity (e.g., Van Gogh). Explain that today, they will be like that artist and create their own masterpiece.
Provide a variety of art supplies and let the preschoolers create their artwork inspired by the chosen artist. For Van Gogh, you might encourage them to make “starry night” paintings using crayons and paint.
Assist and guide them as needed, but encourage creativity and self-expression.

After the art activity, have a group discussion. Ask each child to share their artwork and talk about what inspired them. You can also discuss the colors, shapes, and feelings they expressed in their art.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

Conclude the lesson by reminding them of the famous artist they learned about today and how they were able to create their own art inspired by that artist.
Encourage the preschoolers to take their artwork home to show their families.

Extension Activity (Optional):

For future lessons, you can explore other famous artists and their techniques. Consider rotating through different artists to expose preschoolers to a variety of art styles and periods.

Remember to keep the lesson fun, interactive, and age-appropriate, and allow the children to explore their creativity freely. Art is a wonderful way for preschoolers to express themselves and learn about the world around them.

Exploring Famous Artists with Preschoolers Lesson Plan