Introducing Pre-Schoolers to Art History: Modern Art Miro Kids Craft

Pre-schoolers and elementary school children can be introduced to art history in a subtle and non-threatening way. The word "history" alone can make some parents cringe.

Let's start kids off right, by teaching them to appreciate art history with a hands-on kids crafts.

One way to ease toddlers into art history without causing confused looks is to help kids make a modern art craft that resembles the art of Joan Miro.

Introducing Kids to Art History: Who Was Joan Miro?

Miro was a Spanish painter who created colorful and abstract paintings with shapes of colors and lines. His works are often referred to as surreal. But to young eyes, Miro knew about colors and shapes!

Parents, we can save the information about Miro and art history until later! Or keep it to ourselves.

Rather than take a traditional approach of teaching about Miro first and making the craft later, lets make the craft first, and explore the modern art possibilities using easy paper craft methods.

Materials for the the Pre-Schoolers Craft

Wax paper
crayon shavings
tissue paper
black yarn

Kids Craft: Color Choices

To stay true to the art of Miro, parents will want to include the following colors in this kids craft:

yellow
black
red
green
orange
red
blue

Pieces of black thread, cut into long strips.

Tools for Making the Pre-Schoolers Craft

one adult
one hot iron (to be used by one adult who likes to iron. If you know one, please let me know). Seriously, adults only please.
scissors
one crayon sharpener
broken crayons in different colors (try to use already broken crayons). Or, take this opportunity to sharpen your crayons!

Preparation for Making Miro Pre-Schoolers Craft

Kids can prepare the materials by cutting the tissue paper into different geometric and abstract shapes.

Also, they can cut the thread into long black pieces.

Finally, they can make crayon shavings. Keep the crayon shavings in recycled containers or make small piles on a piece of paper.

Preparing the Modern Art Miro Craft for Pre-Schoolers

Pre-schoolers can place the geometric shapes on the paper. Encourage pre-schoolers to combine patterns of colors and shape with some random combinations.

An example of Miro's work

Credit: Imperial Archive

Copyright: Imperial Archiveq