Visual arts isn’t just about making pretty pictures; it’s about helping children develop critical skills, express creativity, and experience the artistic process. Whether you’re tasked with creating an art program as a parent, teacher, or school administrator, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. In this blog, I will give you the art blueprint for teaching children visual arts. By aligning with national art standards and focusing on what I call the “5 Domains,” you’ll ensure your art program meets developmental needs and nurtures creativity.
Why a Strong Art Program is Essential
A well-planned art program does more than teach kids how to paint or draw; it provides essential skills like problem-solving, self-expression, and collaboration. Studies show that students who engage in the arts are more likely to excel in other academic areas, including reading and math. You can learn more about this by reading my book, The Way Children Make Art. This art blueprint will cover a checklist of critical elements to help you start or refine your program.
Visual Arts Standards
Every successful art program begins with clear goals. That is where the National Core Arts Standards come in. The national visual arts standards provide a framework for teachers to follow. They are broken into four artistic processes children should take part in:
- Investigate
- Imagine
- Construct
- Reflect
Make it your mission to weave these processes into every art experience. These standards guide purposeful art programming. The four artistic actions move children through critical stages. Each project you do with your students should take them through these four actions. You can learn all about the standards by reading my book, Defining Visual Arts. You will learn the core ideas of what constitutes visual art education and where you should focus your teaching.
The 5 Domains of Visual Arts
Now that you have an idea that the visual arts has standards to follow, let’s look at the 5 Domains. These are the five key areas I have identified over thirty years of research that your programs should cover if you are working with early childhood through elementary grades. These domains address different areas children should be exposed to, ensuring a balanced art program. The five domains are painting, drawing, crafting, clay modeling, and color theory. For an in-depth description and outline of the five domains, read my book, Defining Visual Arts.
For example:
- Learning to paint and using different tools
- Learning to craft with materials
- Learning to plan and draw with different mediums
- Learning about fine artists and their special techniques
Art History & Cultural Context
Art programs should help children see the bigger picture by exposing them to different cultures and their unique historical artworks. This can be explored while studying different cultures in the classroom. Every culture has contributed to the history of the arts over thousands of years. There are so many wonderful art ideas that can get children engaged and wanting to learn history. I cover the importance of this topic in my book, Defining Visual Arts.
Creativity & Problem-Solving
Art making helps children learn to problem-solve and learn from the process of making mistakes. This is linked to how most creative artists evolve. The process of problem-solving always leads to creative artistic expression. Here are some ideas you can implement to support this in visual arts programming:
- Give children time to experiment and explore how materials work.
- Have children brainstorm, then plan out steps.
- Provide children with the opportunity to construct.
These activities help children become creative. Learn more about the artistic process by reading my book, Montessori Art Guide – The Essential Elementary Guide.
Art Critique & Reflection
Learn how to support children in a positive way to reflect. Reflection is a more up-to-date way to support children creatively. By following the artistic process, you can learn how to give children time to reflect and learn about the art’s process. Art critique is more designed for children in middle and college courses. Learn the special supportive way to teach young children how to reflect in early childhood and elementary grades.
Here are some ideas. A simple activity could involve asking your students about their work with you or the class. Or asking questions like:
- Which elements did you focus on?
- What were your process and steps?
- How does this piece make you feel?
- What would you do differently?
- Would you like to explore a different technique?
Expanding Your Art Knowledge
There are so many wonderful museums around to learn and connect with art. You can also visit your local library and check out books on visual arts to gain ideas on how to approach teaching children. But if you would like to get trained or certified, I do have resources for you in this blog. Getting this type of art training is possible, even if you don’t have experience or don’t feel like an artist yourself. I have guides you can read that cover the foundations of visual arts for children. And you can actually become art certified to teach visual arts. Learn more about how to get certified by checking out my program The Art Teaching Blueprint. You can also watch some of my free video trainings by visiting my websites EcoKidsArt.com or Montessori-Art.com.
Arts Integration with Other Subjects
Art doesn’t have to exist in a bubble—children thrive when it’s connected with other disciplines. Like combining geometry lessons with tessellation art projects. Or collaborate with the science teacher to draw the solar system or plants. Explore storytelling through drawing with short stories. Cross-curricular integration makes learning more dynamic and engages kids on deeper levels.
Create Art Curriculum
Now that we’ve tackled the standards and domains, start small—focus on what’s achievable and build from there. Organize sessions into a predictable structure, like this:
- Art Lesson Introduction – Begin with a short discussion and demo (10 minutes).
- Artistic Process – Allow children to go through all four actions of the artist process.
- Reflection – Wrap up art activities by giving children the chance to share their work.
To learn more about scheduling and creating art lessons check out these resources below here:
Buy Ready-Made Art Curriculum
Plan the rest of the school year with ready-made art lessons
I want to be of service to you by providing information about my art curriculums that can make your art lessons simple and easy.
Art Curriculum Can:
- Help you teach art with confidence!
- Instantly plan your year’s lessons in a snap.
- Get art lessons that focus on art literacy standards.
Why I Create Art Curriculums:
I’m an artist, homeschool parent, art teacher, and I create art curriculums for kids. For years, I’ve taught art to tons of children in my studio. When I started, even with art school, I felt lost! I didn’t know which lessons to begin with, what to focus on, or how to teach art standards. Plus, I couldn’t find a step-by-step drawing or painting plan that helped kids improve gradually.
I got stressed and had to redo lessons often. I realized my students needed to grasp one step before moving on. So, I spent hours in libraries and online, buying books, searching for art curriculum ideas for children. I really wanted my students to enjoy art and be creative. Some students even disliked certain lessons. I made things too complicated and accidentally limited their creativity.
Things improved through lots of practice. Eventually, my drawing and painting curriculum clicked. When I got the chance to teach a hundred students of all ages, I decided to try the same lesson with everyone. I showed them the same steps, then let them create freely. It worked! If you want to know more about my art teaching secrets, check out my new book, The Way Children Make Art – The Science Art Method. The Way Children Make Art – The Science Art Method
5 Important Art Curriculum Things I Learned Over Time:
- Children need to learn isolated movements.
- Children need easy 1 to 3 step instructions.
- Children need to see a visual demonstration.
- Each lesson should reinforce the last skill learned.
- All foundational art skills can work for primary through elementary grades.
I have tested these curriculums with small to large groups of children of all ages internationally. I now offer properly scaffolded, sequential, organized art lessons in all areas. My curriculums focus on isolated foundational skill sets. I now offer the art curriculum I use every day in my studio to the public.
Yes, these are stand-alone curriculums!
Yes, they show you how to teach progressive art skills!
Where to order and purchase curriculums for early childhood & elementary grades:
- Drawing Curriculum
- Clay Modeling Curriculum
- Painting Curriculum
- Color Theory Curriculum
- Crafting & Building Curriculum
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