Crafts & Art Activities - Montessori for Everyone Blog

Children Can Draw and So Can You

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:April 13, 2010
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities
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I've written about arts and crafts many times; it's a favorite subject of mine, and has always been a focus in every classroom I've had (at schools and at home). I've always made sure that children have plenty of time for art, as well as all the art supplies they might want: paint, colored pencils, clay, markers, and plenty of paper. One area that's always scared me, though, is that of drawing or sketching. It's not my strong suit, yet it's something that I want my children to know how to do. That's why I was so excited when I picked up a copy of Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes.

Our Home Classroom Part 1: The Art Area

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:January 10, 2010
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities / Homeschooling
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As many of you know, this past fall my husband and our two children and I moved to a new house. We had lived in our previous house for 10 years, and while it was a lovely house, we felt that with homeschooling and a home-based business, we needed more room. One thing we were looking for was a basement that could be a combination classroom/playroom for the children. The house we chose not only had a spacious basement, but it was a walkout with sliding glass doors leading to our backyard and a large picture window (lots of natural light!)

Holidays and the Montessori Classroom

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:February 1, 2009
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities / Teaching Montessori
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We Montessorians never tire of running contrary to cultural expectations. Whether it's introducing sounds at age 3, discouraging dramatic play in favor of real activities, or delaying fantasy and fairy…

Do Outlines & Blackline Masters Stifle Creativity?

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:December 29, 2008
Post Category:Child Development / Crafts & Art Activities
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I recently read an interesting article by Julia Volkman in the Jola Montessori newsletter Public Montessorian. In it, she talks about the creative limitations of having kids color outlines like…

Why Should Children Study Art?

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:August 10, 2008
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities

When setting out to help children learn about art, I think it’s important to spend some time thinking over the subject first – what is the purpose of art, and…

Bringing Art to the Elementary Classroom

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:August 3, 2008
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities
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As I mentioned last week, I believe that every Montessori classroom should have a dedicated art area. This lets kids know that art is important, and also gives them a…

Setting Up Your Preschool Art Area

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:July 27, 2008
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities

Art. What does that little word mean? It can encompass a huge variety of pursuits, from drawing to dance, from sculpture to movie making. The one thing all artistic pursuits…

Hands-on Projects Bring Nature Indoors

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:June 30, 2008
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities
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Kids love nature. The endless varieties of trees, bugs, rocks, and flowers provide unlimited opportunities for learning and exploration. Naturally, they love nature-themed projects, too. Here are a few of…

Making the Most of Spring – Some Great Activities for Kids

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:March 23, 2008
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities
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Can you feel it in the air? I can! Even after a surprise snowfall this past weekend, the first signs of spring are definitely showing up in my neighborhood. I…

Helping Kids Find the Artist Within

Post Author:Lori Bourne
Post published:March 18, 2008
Post Category:Crafts & Art Activities
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Art programs are invariably the first to go when funding cuts happen in public schools, and a friend of mine who is an award-winning artist tells a touching story of…