How to Set Up a Montessori Art Area in a Homeschool

Learning how to set up a Montessori art area in a homeschool needn't be a daunting task. While the set up of a Montessori art area will take thought and care, it can also be a very enjoyable experience. As with all things Montessori, the art area should encompass the fundamental philosophies of this educational method. Since those who need to know how to set up a Montessori art area in a homeschool are probably already quite familiar with these philosophies, the project will likely be a relatively straightforward one. If you need to know how to set up a Montessori art area in a homeschool, the following information should be helpful.

Designate and prepare your space.
Ideally, a Montessori art area will be an open, uncluttered space. As with other Montessori spaces, the art area will need shelving, as well as a workspace. All shelving and furniture should be arranged in a way that allows easy movement around the art area. Additionally, it is optimal for shelving and furniture to be Montessori-style pieces. Montessori furniture can be quite expensive. However, much of it is of simple design, and requires only basic skills to build at home. When you are making decisions about how to set up a Montessori art area in a homeschool, seriously consider making as much of the shelving as possible yourself. While not as convenient as simply ordering furniture, deciding to make it yourself can save thousands of dollars.

Prepare specific activities.
Once the furniture is arranged in the designated space, bring your Montessori art area to life. Prepare specific Montessori art activities to be displayed on the shelves. Put together various sets of items to be displayed on a tray for a specific Montessori activity. For example, one tray may hold many pre-cut strips of paper and a pair of child-safe scissors, guiding the student into a session of cutting practice. On another tray, place a container of modeling clay along with modeling tools. Perhaps in a container on another shelf, put together a small bin which holds inset frames and papers. Still, another container may hold various wood shapes with holes punched along the edges, and shoestrings, so that the child who picks it up will be guided into fine motor skills practice. Remember that the Montessori educational methods encourage children to be self-reliant. For this reason, most will want to incorporate these types of do-it-yourself activities when ready to set up a Montessori art area in a homeschool.

Stock the shelves.
In addition to prepared art activities, the Montessori art area in a homeschool should also be well stocked with groups of neatly organized art supplies which encourage free-form art expression. Various textural materials are valued in a Montessori art area. Start with a plastic bin of only yarn, another of felted wool, yet another with embroidery floss, or similar materials. Smaller bins are useful as well, to hold items such as pipe cleaners, craft pom-poms, and sheeted felt. Sets of similar jars or cups are great to incorporate when planning how to set up a Montessori art area in a homeschool. Each of these holds a specific art supply, such as erasers, beeswax crayons, scissors, paints, paintbrushes, chalks, or pastels. Neatly organized stacks of paper are also necessary, as are small separate containers to hold glue sticks, and bottles of glitter.

When it's time to set up a Montessori art area in your homeschool, keep key practices in mind. Display materials in an organized, uncluttered fashion. Prepare activities in a manner which encourages self reliance in the child. You may find with very young children that the Montessori art area in your homeschool needs to be set up in a way that gives you control over which materials or activities the child can reach and use at any given time. As they get older, it will be possible to keep everything out and within reach.