Tried & True Teacher Tricks For Classroom Art With Young Kids

School Bus Print by Blanca Gomez. Check out all the lovely prints she has for sale in her shop! 

Imagine you are an art-loving parent volunteering to teach an art lesson in an elementary school teacher’s classroom. You want the kids to have fun, learn a new skill and complete artwork they feel super proud of.

But maybe you’re a little stressed by the thought of teaching 30 kids at once, and possibly trashing the room in the process? Here are a few things I do to make my lessons run as smoothly as possible and motivate better listening.

DIY: (Part 2) How to Shade and Highlight a Human Facial Profile

Progress animation of Part 2 in my David drawing tutorial. Look for the step-by-step video below!

You can do WAY more than “barely draw a stick figure.”

I really believe that any person can surprise themselves with the creative ability that exists inside them, and we need glimpses of that in ourselves. You know how just about every mom makes their kids take piano lessons as a kid? Like many kids, I often dreaded it… because it took time and practice, and I wasn’t what you’d call a prodigy. But after most lessons I realized I did better than I originally thought I would, and that made me feel good. If you try this project, and you work along with my video, I promise you’ll come out with a much better drawing than you expected. Drawing is SO good for the brain, and nobody would do it if it wasn’t so rewarding. Give yourself a chance! 

DIY: How to Draw & Color a Tree with Personality

Trunk of an Old Yew Tree (1888) by Vincent van Gogh

All trees grow in unique directions, so if you want to draw a certain tree accurately, it is helpful to look closely at the way branches split, where the leaves or needles grow, the shape and movement of the branches, etc. Today I’m going to teach you how to draw an oak tree like the one you see below. This lesson is basic but definitely not age specific. The project can be simplified or made more complex to match any skill level.

DIY: (Part 1) How to Draw the Face of Michelangelo’s David

This is my first ever tutorial video! I am so excited to share this drawing lesson, which I created and have taught to students of several ages. If you don’t think you could possibly learn to draw a human face and make it look really good, I challenge you to follow along with this video and give yourself a chance.

My Mom the Art Teacher

I am still a young mom with so much to learn, but there are three solid things I know about self-esteem, mental health, and happy parent-child relationships:

1. Kids blossom when they have creative outlets.
2. Adults need stress relief and moments to help them feel like kids again.
3. Parents and children both need quality time together.

DIY Kids Project: Symmetrical Insect Collage

The collage above was a team effort between my husband and daughter. You’re a great dad, Cal!

Great for teaching a lesson on symmetry, or just making something experimental and pretty with your little one, this project could also be used as an opportunity to reflect on a bit of art history. You and your child (or your students if you’re a teacher), can be inspired by the gorgeous symmetrical work of Charley Harper and the whimsical cut-outs of Henri Matisse. Google them both!