How Do I incorporate Art Into Homeschooling?
Homeschool life is busy and cluttered and most parents feel the pressure to make sure that their children learn the important subjects like reading and math. But every once in a while we lift our heads and realize that there should be more. As parents we want our children to have a creative outlet and not just teach the fundamentals but add some art to our homeschool life as well.
As artists you would think it is easier for us, but we feel the same pressure to make sure our children learn those core subjects and become the brilliant human beings we know they are lol.
So, as artists we have created this list to help parents easily incorporate art into our homeschooling life in an organic way.
Simply read through the list and see where you in your homeschool life and add that part in.
Or you can give this list to yoru children and see where they would like to add some art in.
We made it even easier! Just just sign up and we will send you a weekly way to easily add art into your homeschool.
Just look over this list and either bookmark or print out (PDF LISTED)
Children naturally draw. One of the first things a toddler does is pick up a draw and doodle. Children will be drawing and coloring with a crayon before they ever pick up a pencil to write the alphabet.
So what I tell parents who ask, "How do I incorporate art into my homeschool curriculum?". I tell them, "You already are!"
Then I ask them, "Are your children coloring, drawing, painting?"
They always answer, "Yes."
Then I say again, "You already are. Now let's make it a little more intentional and make sure that you are covering enough to give them credit for it."
A subject are that you want to give credit for is more focused and directed, but can still be child led for greater enjoyment and engagement.
And that would be our first suggestion so read below to get started!
So below are some:
REALLY EASY WAYS TO ADD ART TO HOMESCHOOL
- Follow Your Child’s Interests -Does your child love to draw dinosaurs or fairies princesses, cars or bugs? Get them step by step drawing books based on their interests. This helps them learn that there is a step by step method of learning to draw with is exactly what the classical method of drawing is. When they get a bit older (middle school) then they are able to use the skills step by step drawing into their art more easily. > More Info
- Have art materials out -By having the art. supplies out (you only need a small section, a few plastics boxes, etc) some paper markers and children will most naturally draw. Add new items monthly like pastels or colored pencils and let them play. > More Info
- Share Your Hobby -I am a creative person so I always have a project out that I'm playing with, and the playing with. I never have to saw kids come and learn this. I just simply sit there doing it and they come around and say, "mom can I do that too?".
- Still Life Drawing -This is honestly one of the easiest and most often overlooked ways of adding art into your homeschool is by taking an objects and place it in the middle of a table and have them draw what they see.If they are older tell them to draw in the light and shadows. > More Info
- Write/Draw A Picture Book -My kids love writing their own books even at a young age your child could narrate to you the story and you could write it down and then they could draw pictures to go along with it. If they’re older they could write the story and draw, and make it into a book themselves. Older children love comic books or graphic novels. > More Info
- Expose your children to beautiful book illustrations. When you choose a book for read aloud or for their personal reading time choose books that have beautiful illustrations. This will engage and encourage children to add artwork to their stories. > More Info
- Nature Journaling -Go Outside and draw, explore nature with a sketchbook and pencil and simply draw what you find. A leaf, pinecone cool bug, the clouds and flowers. Do some nature studies. This is Observational Art, which can be used in conjunction with Observational Science and Non-Fiction Writing. > More Info
- Art Museums -Visit art museums. There is something about seeing a piece of art in person and coming to understand that the artist sat and painted and worked however long and fished it and her it is hanging up on a wall fro me to appreciate. Then whichever piece your children like, research that particular artist. Don’t worry if the art museums in your area are small, smaller is better, large museums are overwhelming for most people. > More Info
- Art History Books-Get a few art history books. There are some that start for very young children and go all the way up to college level. In art sometimes their is nudity so if you go to the children’s section of the library you can get ones that a..Below is a list of some suggested art history books- then you can draw or paint in a similar manner as the artist.
> More Info - Art Through History -Wherever you are in your history curriculum find art pieces from that time period. ART THROUGH HISTORY TIMELINE > More Info
- Take A Class! When you child is ready taking an art class is one of the best things you can do. Their attention is solely focused and a teacher is able to guide them…..what do look for in a studio/atelier?This is honestly hard to find which is why we created the McEvoy Atelier of Drawing and Painting! > More Info
