February 19, 2011 6:49 AM
Art: enriching your child's life the Montessori way
We've been on the subject of art, so I want to draw your attention to books which you might want to add to your homeschool/family library, keeping in mind the Montessori principle of a prepared environment. Even if you don't know much about art, your kids are like sponges and will soak up everything you provide. Roots can be planted early which will give your child wings as he or she grows.
If you limit TV and games and have lots of good books, art and music in the early years, your kids will grow up to appreciate those finer things as adults. Then they have some standard to judge for themselves. Passing craziness like Lady Gaga and rap music will just not appeal.
To buy on the cheap, check Paperback Swap and used copies at Amazon. If you want to buy new, Amazon is having a 4-for-3 sale, which will help. Also, check your library, but teach your children to respect art books and treat them very tenderly.
Be sure to take your children to art museums!
Board books can put beautiful works of art into your toddle's hands - think of the long-lasting impact! - This is one of a series:
Multi-book series categorized by artist:
(The last one - the Raboff series - was published in the 80s and is no longer in print. They are excellent oversized books and I was fortunate to have the whole series when my kids were growing up. I've since passed them on to grandchildren. You can get used copies for pennies at Amazon. And right now, PaperbackSwap has Remington, van Gogh and Renoir. I'd rush right over and grab those now!)
Multi-book series that look at art categorized by subject matter:
Coloring masterpieces will help nestle them in your child's heart, making them unforgettable. Just a few of many available:
And here is the classic set used by Montessori teachers for as long as I can remember (I took my training in 71-72):
e Masterpieces Handbook, also by Aline Wolf, is suggested.
Posted in Art, Montessori, Preschoolers, Resources, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Thanks for the recommendations, Barbara! I’ve been wanting to start introducing my little ones to the works of great artists like Rembrandt, Leonardo Da Vinci and Raphael. I found that many of the art books are more full of commentary than art (and that often removed of all sacred significance, trying to impose their own humanist or erotic ideas into the artist’s work). So these resources will definitely be helpful!
Posted by: Rachel | February 19, 2011 1:52 PM
Another book all my kids enjoyed was Art Dog by Thacher Hurd. Not currently available from PBS but check the library or Amazon. It is more a cartoon of various famous paintings with a mild mannered guard who becomes "Art Dog" at night. Lots of fun.
We started taking our kids to art museums when they were very young. We live near several very good ones. I will ask my kids to pick out the ugliest picture in a room, or to find the bugs in the flower paintings, or who is the nicest and meanest persons in a portrait gallery. We have been asked not to laugh so loud but my kids all enjoy art and it becomes clear over time why some pieces are masterpieces, others are just old.
Posted by: Jane Duquette | February 20, 2011 10:10 AM
