{"id":873,"date":"2018-01-16T19:57:32","date_gmt":"2018-01-17T02:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yycmontessori.ca\/?p=873"},"modified":"2018-01-16T19:57:32","modified_gmt":"2018-01-17T02:57:32","slug":"art-appreciation-child-size-masterpieces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yycmontessori.ca\/art-appreciation-child-size-masterpieces\/","title":{"rendered":"Art Appreciation: Child-Size Masterpieces"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Discover the joy of introducing art appreciation to children in your classroom. Developed by Aline Wolf and used in hundreds of Montessori classrooms, the Child-Size Masterpieces program includes activities for children of all ages. You, too, can embark on the delightful voyage of introducing beautiful paintings to your students.<\/p>\n

An Easy-to-Implement Program<\/p>\n

Teachers often feel unsure about how to present fine art to children. The activities in this easy-to-implement program follow the pattern of Montessori lessons and make the process both simple and engaging. Beginning with matching the postcard-size paintings, the exercises gradually increase in difficulty. Children learn to recognize the styles of artists such as Michelangelo, Chagall, Audubon, and Rembrandt, among others, as they work with these reproductions.<\/p>\n

In a 2014 interview, Aline Wolf explained how much her children enjoyed sorting her husband’s collection of postcards from art museums. They placed paintings of boats in one pile, mothers with children in another. Occasionally they asked the name of the artist.<\/p>\n

“At first I didn’t realize how much they were learning. Then one day our five-year-old asked if she could help open the mail. She pulled out a beautiful painting on a notecard and her eyes became very wide. “Mommy,” she said, “it’s from Renoir!” Well, it wasn’t from Renoir, but it was a Renoir painting! I realized all that children could learn from activities using art postcards.” \u2014Aline Wolf’s Montessori Journey<\/em><\/p>\n

The Importance of Art Appreciation<\/p>\n

Art expresses our humanity. When children learn how to look at art, they gain far greater appreciation for it and recognize its intrinsic value. The usual approach to fine art is to admonish children: “Don’t touch!” In the Child-Size Masterpieces program, children get to experience a hands-on appreciation of art with paintings chosen especially to appeal to them.<\/p>\n

Working with the cards, children develop their visual discrimination. They absorb world culture and scenery, including how people in other eras dressed, ate, worked, and played. I recently overheard children who were working with these cards debate whether an 18th century painting by Goya could really be a boy, because the child’s lace collar and long hair surprised them. While most of the paintings are from European masters, examples of art from America, China, and Mexico are also included. One set of reproductions highlights the beauty and dignity of African-American heritage.<\/p>\n

Activities for Three- to Six-Year-Olds<\/p>\n

The program has cards for:<\/p>\n