I had an email from a reader asking me my philosophy about including art "projects" in my Montessori classroom. I felt it was a good question, so I decided to respond in a post so everyone who reads this blog could read my thoughts on this. I understand that not everyone will agree with me, and that's okay. Since I received the question I've been formulating my thoughts. Hopefully, I can communicate them clearly here.
First of all, Montessori training programs and most developmentally appropriate early childhood training classes emphasize the PROCESS of creating art versus the PRODUCT. This means that children should be encouraged to explore and experiment with a variety of art mediums without being made to feel that they should complete a specific project that looks a certain way. That is why most Montessori classrooms have an art shelf which has materials available on a daily basis that allow children to practice cutting, crayoning, gluing, threading, etc. In my classroom, the materials on this shelf are used EVERY DAY. One important difference in how the art shelf is presented in a Montessori classroom as opposed to a traditional preschool classroom is that all children have access to it at all times and they may freely choose which skills to practice at any given time. In a more traditional setting, art materials may be out only at certain times and/or their use may be more directed by the adults than by the children themselves. I will go on the record now to confirm my complete support of emphasizing the art process over the finished product. I whole-heartedly agree with that philosophy.
With that said, I DO also believe in providing my students opportunities to complete art projects or crafts. And I don't feel that this conflicts with the philosophy in the previous paragraph. Here's why. First, when art projects are presented, they are presented as an option. There is no pressure or even direct encouragement from adults in the classroom for children to complete the art projects. You will never see a bulletin board in my school with 20 identical art projects hanging on it. We do have an art wire where children's work is displayed at their request. If a child brings me a piece that they've created, I usually ask them if they would like me to keep it myself or hang it on the art wire. Usually, they just want me to keep it. Second, the projects are set up to be completed independently by individual children which is in keeping with the Montessori philosophy. In a traditional setting, all children (or small groups of children) might be directed to sit down at the same time to complete a project under the supervision of an adult. In my classroom, all students are given a presentation on the project as a group. Then, during the work period, they may freely choose to complete the project, or not! Third, I believe that art projects are in keeping with the Montessori philosophy of having children do things that they will do in REAL LIFE. In real life people do make things to decorate their environment as well as complete pieces of art just for the sake of creating something. Fourth, I very carefully choose the projects that I put out and try to avoid putting things out that result in "cookie cutter" art. Most of my projects require children to combine several skills within a project and to follow a series of steps. And almost without exception, the finished projects are rarely identical either to another child's piece or to my model piece. They always put their own creative stamp on their work.
One more reason I have for putting out art projects is the sense of accomplishment that children feel when they have completed something. Many or most young children rarely have opportunities outside of school to make something completely by themselves using a variety of materials and multiple steps. In the home setting, they may have access to art materials and be able to make their own creations. That is WONDERFUL!!! However, it is still very empowering for a little one to be able to independently go to a shelf, carry all the needed supplies to a table on their own, sit down and follow multiple steps using several fine motor skills and have something beautiful that they have created when they are finished.
So there you have it. I welcome any and all comments to this post. I think it is fascinating and insightful to hear what other moms and teachers are thinking and doing out there.
I am implementing an after school 8 session program of Art History for K-5 and didn't know if you had any ideas or books to help keep it fun and simple. I have a master's in art history and was trained so formally that it is hard to make it informative yet geared for young children. Thanks, Karen from LA
Posted by: Karen Madigan | February 07, 2011 at 09:29 AM
I have been struggling with this. I am working on my BFA in Art Education, about to graduate. I've been teaching art at a Montessori school for a year and a half. I know that Montessori said that she didn't like the idea of free drawing, but I feel like that helps the children's imaginations more than anything else. The projects I do are based on art history so that we are mimicking what we learn rather than creating for the sake of creating, though sometimes we do that for a break in curriculum. I like to expose them to a variety of materials and most of the time they can choose what they want to work with if it's available on the tables. I wish that there were a book specifically of lesson plans for Montessori art. I feel like while I am giving them tools for a creative outlet that I am hindering them from other experiences, too. What do you think about that?
Posted by: Katie | October 09, 2009 at 08:21 PM
Have you ever read "Don't move the muffin tin: a hands-off guide to art for the young child?" It's inspiring!
Posted by: anne | February 24, 2009 at 08:50 PM
This post is great! I went to school with Art as an emphasis, and I went back in forth in my mind with how to best implement art. I do agree whole heartedly in free access to art materials and so forth. I also know that part of my training, even at an early age, that I feel was very beneficial, was imitating famous artists work. I wasn't sure how that would mesh with Montessori. This is a fabulous explanation of the need for both free initiative based art as well as instructed art times. Thank you once again for your insight! I am so grateful I have found your blog!
Posted by: Stephanie | February 23, 2009 at 08:30 AM
Great post! I hate it when I go to my son's kindergarten class and all the kids have the exact same artwork. No creativity! It drives me crazy. We have an art shelf at home and the kids are always creating their own art work. It works great!
Posted by: lara | February 22, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Hi, just a quick note from a new reader who just found your blog through the Crafty Crow blog. My son's a slow developer, and attending Montessori daycare since he was 8 months old. Thanks for the blog - I only had a quick look but so far it's very informative! I do agree with originalkat who commented just above: I worked, in the past, in a "preschool" with kids 3-6 yrs old where all arts materials were indeed available at all times. It was more the mentality of the teachers that made the difference - there were teachers who liked creating cookie cutter art and proud to present the outcome to (proud) parents.
At my son's Montessori they also do some common projects, but they are mostly linked to seasons and traditions which to me is fine. I am not a strong Montessori advocate, although I'm very very happy that Montessori is what we have!
Posted by: May | February 22, 2009 at 08:55 AM
I love your blog and agree with your point of views on including both process and product art in your classroom. As a former traditional preschool teacher (and now an aspiring Montessori homeschool mom), I would both agree and disagree with your comparisons of what art looks like in both types of programs. An open art shelf with paper, glue, scissors, collage materials etc... are found in many traditional preschools and offered to children throughout the day for them to use as they choose... at least it was in my classroom and many others I visited during my 10 years in the field. However, I agree to the fact that when projects/crafts are done in traditional preschools it is extremely typical for every child to participate and the identical project displayed for all to see. I like your method of demonstrating the project and offering it as an option during work time rather than a requirement.
Thanks again for your blog!!
Posted by: originalkat | February 22, 2009 at 08:04 AM
I would like to add that learning to follow through with a project to it's completion is also an important skill... Montessori to me is about helping children to prepare themselves for the life they will lead as an adult.. where they will need to be able to complete tasks, sometimes self chosen, others delegated to them (at work for example!). Having the opportunity to practice this in a non-pressured way and experience the sense of achievement at the end is a postive inclusion in a classroom, IMO!!!
Doesn't work at home... they announce.. 'I'm goin to do it my way cos it's my idea!'
Jenni x
Posted by: Jennifer Williams | February 22, 2009 at 07:41 AM
Thank you for the post....very valid points you made on process vs product with ART and I agree.
In addition: I think that your blog is such a wonderful thing because you are taking so much of your time to help others...which ultimately helps who in the end the best?.......CHILDREN. Thank you for being so open and posting photos and links for parenting and info on upcoming holidays, etc. You are a gem.
Posted by: Linda from PA | February 21, 2009 at 08:54 PM
I love this post! I've been intrigued with the Montessori concept, though not totally committed. The projects, done appropriately, teach skills in following instructions, for instance, and they also introduce the kids to ways and ideas for using the art mediums/tools that they might never have thought of. I think they are critical in the process of learning...
Posted by: Mozi Esme's Mommy | February 21, 2009 at 03:12 PM
I agree with you. I do wonder where your ideas for art projects come from.
Posted by: Rebecca | February 21, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Do you have space within your programme that allows a child or group of children to devise and create a project and carry it on for several days? I ask because we have had this situation arrising many times this year where a child, or group of children get really enthusiastic about something - making televisions was one example. We had some cardboard boxes so the kids spent a morning drawing on the outline of a television and cutting out the screens. They helped each other with the tricky bits and by lunch time there were 3 cardboard tv's. In the afternoon they painted them. The next day they came in excited and ready to make tv programmes. In the morning they made puupets and in the afternoon they made the programmes. The next day they put the tv's over their heads and read the news! The next day we were all radt with some extention materials and they were over the tv thing and onto something else!
The thing is - is this a Montessori approach, in the traditional sense, or is this something else? For the record, I thought it was an amazing 3 days. They learnt so much and were excited and motivated and used so many different skills from proactical life, through maths and literacy to art.
Posted by: Anna | February 21, 2009 at 12:25 PM