Although there is no specific Montessori writing on art in a Montessori classroom, we can only imagine the appreciation Dr. Montessori must have had for this approach to learning. Her emphasis on order, neatness, and love of nature gives further indication that she would support artworks within a Montessori classroom.

In addition to the general appreciation of art, activities within a Montessori early childhood classroom involve fine motor development, math, science, language, and sensorial. Integrating art into other learning areas is key to introducing art to children.

Montessori Art focuses on the process and allowing the child to truly experience art on his own terms. Children are born naturally inclined to art. So, then, our job is to nurture that natural tendency towards creativity. I think you will agree that art is about the experience the child has with the materials, the mediums, and the textures that ultimately create the art. This idea is known as process art.

Montessori Art Activities, Materials, & Shelf Ideas

You won’t find crafts or step by step art projects in a Montessori environment. More often than not, an art project is integrated into other areas of the classroom such as language (storytelling), history (visual representations of time), math (beadwork), and geography (tracing & coloring maps).

Montessori Art Theory in a Few Words

So, what is behind Montessori art? Here are a few words used to describe Montessori art.

Exploration
Creativity
Unique
Thoughtful
Mindful
Patient
Child-Led
Process Not Product
Appreciation
Time
Flexibility
Sensory

Ways Art is Beneficial to Children

I am likely preaching to the choir here but here are a few of the myriad of reasons art is beneficial to children. The research comes out, again and again, affirming this belief. Art studies help children’s developing brains in more ways than we can see tangibly. This article on PBS.org describes the importance of art in a young child’s life.

Fine motor development
Sensory development
Whole-brain development
Emotional regulation
Encourages expression
Brings joy and happiness
Develops vocabulary
Introduces math and science concepts
Develops attention to detail and awareness of the environment
Concentration & focus
Encourages an appreciation of the creative expression of others

Check out: Montessori Art for Continent Studies

How to Support Creativity in a Child

Be open-minded about messes, mediums, and the direction of the child
Learn about art processes and materials
Understand what it means to be creative and the myriad of definitions that exist
Read about the impact of creativity on brain development
Embrace the idea of “failure” as an opportunity
Prepare the environment for the creative art process
Prepare yourself with appropriate responses to a child’s work
Read this post from The Artful Parent How to Talk to Kids about their Art

How to Prepare the Environment

Create ground rules with the children for the art space and maybe even assign jobs to help keep the space clean
Aprons
A variety of mediums with which to do art such as tissue paper, card stock, watercolor paper, paper towels, coffee filters, and so on
A designated spot for artwork to dry
Splat mats and plastic table coverings
Vinyl table mats
Storage for art supplies and finished artwork
Liquid Water Color
Containers and baskets for various beads, gems, crafts sticks, pom poms, and other supplies
Variety of brushes and painting tools
Various types of glue