why i don’t do examples

I don’t make examples. Not for artwork, not for crafts. The only time I must produce something like a drawing is when I give a metal inset lesson, and then I carefully fold my work into fourths and put it in my pocket. The same extends to home, I try not to draw for Imogen.

Why am I anti-example? Because to me, the work, whether it is a metal inset, a watercolor, or a Mother’s Day Craft, is process oriented, not product. And that’s where I want the child’s focus. Did they enjoy making it? Do they think it’s beautiful? Did they choose the colors they wanted? It they are constantly following my example how are they going to learn to be happy with their own work?

This is much easier at school than at home. Our art shelf is only open-ended materials. Scissors, glue, tape, paper for cutting, pencils, clay, and a collage tray. We rotate through watercolor paints and other materials during the year. When we do have a new work, like watercolors, and I need to give a lesson, I use the same piece of watercolor paper and simply make lines. Focusing the child on the process of getting the water, cleaning the brush, etc., and not on what I am painting. When I have finished my lesson I say, “I made lines, you can make whatever you wish.”

why i don't do examples | montessori works

This gets a little more tricky at home. We have an art cart, filled with just about everything you could imagine, and it’s just about as messy as you could imagine. When Imogen wants to draw together, I am happy to. But I focus on filling in the background, making a few trees, coloring in things she has already made, or I just use lines and swirls, stars and hearts to make a pattern. I have “taught” Imogen how to make a star and a heart. When she has moments where she just HAS to make a dog and it HAS to look right, I help her break it down into simple shapes. I try to just walk her through it without drawing anything, but if she needs a little more, I draw my shapes without connecting them to make the dog, or whatever we are drawing.

It is the child’s work, not my idea of some perfect Pinterest moment. It is not my job to co-opt their experience for some ideal product.

For more resources and inspiration about Montessori Art you can join Lisa Nolan’s Facebook group Montessori Art and Music, and visit her blog Confessions of a Montessori Mom

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4 Comments

  1. Yes! I couldn’t agree more. I remember one time I was doing a tot school unit about birds with my then 2 year old and I gave him some construction paper, glue, and feathers. He picked the smallest one, glued it on and announced “DONE!!!” I remember thinking “what the heck does he mean??! Then I saw how proud he was so we hung it up like it was the Mona Lisa. It’s still there to this day and I love that it is ALL him 🙂

    1. Isn’t it wonderful when we see that look of pride in their eyes!

  2. Does this mean you stay away from coloring books? What about those color number sheets?

    Also — I found your blog post convicting! I think it’s really hard not to want Pintrest-perfect type projects to “show off.” I’m a new mom, and I’m finding my heart is full of good intentions but also full of vanity! And the desire to be in control.

    Thanks for posting your thoughts and taking the time to blog. I’m trying to learn as much as I can about the Montessori approach to life and learning to use at home. I never thought not doing examples before.

    1. I try to stay away from coloring books, but we have been given a few by well meaning friends and family.

      On thing I remind myself is that what the child makes on her own is truly so much more beautiful and authentic than any controlled perfect project — it is a snapshot of who the child was at that time.

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