3 Ways to Write Art Lesson Plans for Preschool

Do you write art lesson plans for your preschoolers? Every year, I attempt this same challenge as I plan for my newest preschool class. While it may seem that there is little need for art lesson plans, I assure you that just like with any other part of teaching preschool, having a plan in place for how you approach art lessons is just as important as anything else.

I recently sent out a newsletter to all my subscribers about the importance of process art in preschool, as well as some activities to try.

I want you to imagine the following scenario:

A preschooler is confronted by several choices at the art table. He has paint in three colors, red, black and white. He has several sized paint brushes to choose from as well as stamps and sponges. He also has access to a bottle of liquid glue and some tissue paper in the same colors of paint. But the first choice he has to make is this: what size paper to use, regular sized construction paper or the larger 12 x 18 size?

Just in presentation, this preschooler has several choices to make, all of them his own, and for once there is not wrong decision. He has the choice to use all or none of the materials. He gets to choose if he wants to mix the materials and how he wants to apply them.

These are powerful choices.

These choices allow for the preschooler to develop self-confidence and independence. These choices allow the preschooler a safe place to explore and take risks, not to mention the science concepts the preschooler is exposed to as well.

Process art is important.

And it’s good for preschoolers, too.

So, since it is clearly so important, it is also important to have plan (of a little detail or a lot) of how to include art in the preschool day.

How to Write Art Lesson Plans

There are three primary ways to design an art curriculum for preschoolers. Each of them have their own merits and at the preschool level there is no wrong approach. Choose the one that is most fitting to your teaching style.

Theme Based Art Lesson Plans for Preschool

The most obvious way to plan art lessons at the preschool level is to incorporate them into the themes you teach. Say you are teaching a month long unit on the ocean. How many different art activities can you think of that are ocean themed? I love to scour Pinterest or Google Images for ideas by searching something like “ocean process art”.

The best way to come up with your own ideas for theme based process art is to think of the elements of your theme and how you can put them into a piece of artwork. The ocean has layers of blue water, so maybe children can explore different hues of blue by mixing various paint colors. The ocean also tends to sparkle in the sunlight, so maybe add some glitter. The ocean also has sand and sea animals, so how can those elements be incorporated?

But the thing about process art is this: you, as the teacher, don’t have to make those decisions. You can simply present your preschoolers with the materials to create their own ocean reminiscent artworks.

Material Based Art Lesson Plans for Preschool

The second way to approach writing art lesson plans for preschoolers is to select a specific material or small set of materials and focus on how to use and manipulate those materials to create different pieces. How many different ways can a piece of paper be used? It can be cut up, crumpled, torn, painted or drawn on, rolled up, folded, mashed with water into a slurry. Add a little bit of glue and the possibilities are endless. Given a little direction, image what your preschoolers can do with just some paper.

Given a little direction, imagine what your preschoolers can do with just some paper. Now, imagine what could happen with more unique art supplies, like liquid watercolor or powdered tempera paint. You have the option to choose a single material to explore with your preschoolers.

Some basic art materials to help you get started can include:

• • • • markers, pens and crayons
      • various paints
      • paper
      • glue and accessories (glitter, salt, sequins, etc)
      • three dimensional objects (cardboard tubes, clay, sponges, etc)

Technique Based Art Lesson Plans for Preschool

The third and final way to write art lesson plans for preschool is to base them on technique. There are several techniques appropriate for the preschool age. For example, printmaking. Children can use cookie cutters to make prints with paint, make their own stamps, or use sensory balls to explore textures and printmaking. They can use various kitchen utensils to make prints, or etch them into a clean styrofoam plate. Again, if you search in Pinterest or Google Images something like “printmaking for preschoolers” you will find hundreds of ideas to get you started.

Other technique based ideas include:

• • • • • • • • • • making patterns
                  • resist painting
                  • sculptures
                  • cutting and pasting
                  • using shapes to create
                  • color theory
                  • action painting

The Most Important Thing to Know

Any of the above approaches are fine for preschoolers. There is no right or wrong approach to writing art lesson plans as long as you have something in place to make sure you are offering your preschoolers art on a daily basis and giving them multiple opportunities to explore various art materials and methods.

My suggestions for those of you who are struggling to include process art in your preschool lesson plans is to try a few different things. Find what inspires you and excites you to teach. Sit down with your preschoolers and create with time! Kids will respond to your enthusiasm. There is not need to plan anything too serious until you find what your style is. Just play and experiment…and creat art!