It seems that we homeschoolers know the importance of a well rounded education. In fact, I have often said I feel like if I didn’t homeschool, my kids would miss out on all the wonderful opportunities sitting under our noses here in New York City. However, art, P.E. and sometimes music education are lacking in many homeschools. Either we don’t know how to do it or what to do. I know for me, art is not my thing. My stick figures are barely discernable. Yet somehow, I’ve managed to school fairly artistic children. A friend recently asked me how I did it–so here are a few of my tips on teaching art in the homeschool.
It’s All About Exposure
I recently had the opportunity to watch my twins in Sunday school class. Sunday school for two year olds is not that complicated. You have your story, you have your activity and on this particular Sunday, that activity was coloring. My twins did exactly what every single one of their siblings did–ditch the side that has the picture on it, take a couple of crayons, and turn the paper over to create their own masterpiece.
Over the years, I’ve given my preschoolers watercolors, sculpting materials, crayons, colored pencils–you name it–they’ve had it. I’m not opposed to coloring books, I just never buy them. So armed with an art medium and blank paper their imagination soars. I do not have neat little flowers crafted from tissue paper like the other preschool moms–but I think what my kids end up getting is a vivid imagination for what can be done with a crayon and a blank piece of paper.
Artsonia
Artsonia is a great site that allows you to upload a digital photograph of your child’s artwork and then you can invite family and friends to go see it online. They give awards (like ’most prolific’) and that’s a bonus, but there are two things I really like about this site. The first is that it allows family and friends who live far away to see my child’s artwork. The second is that it spares me from having to save every piece of pottery, every drawing and every photograph. It is there–online–for generations to come. Or at least until my kids want me to throw it away. The site is free and I have found it to be fairly secure with various settings for privacy.
Go to the Pros
When it comes to teaching art and art history as your kids get older, go to the professionals. Even my little kids are exposed to the fantastic resources at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have a great kids’ activities listing and of course. . .my favorite word. . .it’s all free. Also, the National Gallery of Art has a free educational loan program–open to anyone, anywhere as well as a fantastic site for kids. These people live to spread their passion about art and so chances are good that if you live near a somewhat recognized museum, they have a free educational loan program too!
Note: At the time that this was written and published, the websites linked here are kid friendly. However, due to the changing nature of the web, we always recommend that the first time you visit a site, you check it out alone, without children present. This way, you are assured that the content is appropriate for your child.