Homeschool Art Curriculum

Do you need a homeschool art curriculum? Art can be fun and interesting for everyone. It is definitely an elective course that doesn't need to be forced or mandated, but it can be interesting for both parent and child.

Here are some materials I suggest you have on hand for those budding artists:

1. Prismacolor Colored Pencils Set - There are lots of kinds of colored pencils out there, but these are the best and well worth the investment!

2. Prang Washable Watercolor Markers Set - Again, there are many kinds of markers out there but these are the best and not that much more expensive. You will buy less of these in the long run anyways.

3. Tracing Paper Pad - We like to trace coloring book pages instead of color them. Coloring doesn't really teach much about art except for color and staying in the lines. The idea is that if you trace enough arms or faces, you will be able to become proficient at drawing them.

4. Lots of pencils, markers, chalk, paint and any other items you can think of to draw or paint.

5. LOTS of papers of all different shapes, sizes and thicknesses!

6. Postcards of Masterpieces of Art - like Child Size Masterpieces of Steps 1, 2, 3 - Matching, Pairing, and Sorting - Level 1 Easy.

Some other favorites that we have used if you're looking for a specific homeschool art curriculum:

Draw Write Now, Books 1-6

I Can Do All Things Bundle Package with 4 Instructional DVDs

OR More Barry Stebbing Art Courses


Basically we just have these resources available to use. If you're finding that you don't fit art into your day, maybe declaring Fridays Music, Art and Game Day can help you get it included into your week.

Remember, too, that drawing is handwriting practice. If your child loves to draw but doesn't like to write letters, don't stress! He/she is using a lot of coordination to get that pencil to draw what his brain wants is fingers to draw. The handwriting will come. One of my children drew all the time and she has the best handwriting of all them!

Art Seminar

I recently attended a homeschool art seminar that was presented by a local art therapist. She explained to us that all children are born 100% creative and they gradually learn to be less creative. We are often encouraged to create something just like the teacher instead of being shown different art techniques and then creating something from that knowledge.

No wonder my children didn't like coloring books and had limited interest in art programs!

At the end of our class, she handed each of us a blank piece of paper and showed us the resources she had available for us to use and told us to draw "creativity". Talk about intimidating! My husband and children are the creative ones in my family, not me!

I was able to do it and my picture turned out to be fairly interesting in the end. She really encouraged us to discuss our pictures. She said this part was probably more important than even creating the picture. It helps us to internalize what we have created.

All in all, the most important thing she stressed for a homeschool art curriculum was to focus more on the process of art than the product. It is more important for a child to create something than to copy a book or model.

This class really changed how I look at teaching art to my children and maybe even a few other subjects too....

Return from Homeschool Art Curriculum to Homeschool How To home page