Art Teaching Books For Educators
You believe art matters for children.
You just weren’t trained to teach it, and most of the educators around you weren’t either. These books were written for that educator. Each one builds understanding from the inside out: not what to do, but what to see, what to notice, and why it matters developmentally.
Where to start
Start with The Way Children Make Art.
It is the foundational read. Everything else in this collection assumes what that book teaches you to see. If you only ever read one, read that one.
The collection
Nine books, each one a different door in.
Open any book to read more about it before you order.
1
The Way Children Make Art
How children actually develop as artists, and how to teach them accordingly
If you have ever looked at a child's scribble and wondered what it means, or felt uncertain whether what you are doing in the classroom counts as real art education, this book was written for you. It reframes how you see children's creative development entirely, and it is the foundational read for every educator who wants art to be as intentional and purposeful as the rest of the program.
What you will learn
- How and when children develop fine motor function
- An art education method built on science, not tradition
- What an age appropriate arts program actually looks like
- How children learn to create, which is very different from how adults do
- How cognitive ability, visual and tactile processing, and spatial intelligence develop, and what that means for the lessons you plan
Why I wrote this book
Over three decades as an art educator I kept meeting teachers who cared about art and had no framework for it. This book is where the Science Art Method™ came from: my own classroom observation set against current neuroscience. Once you understand a child's phase of neurological growth, you can design lessons that nurture it instead of working against it.
Book details
- ISBN-13: 979-8991256117
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: 79
- Trim size: 5 x 8 inches
- Interior: Black and white
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
2
Early Childhood Art
Visual Arts Teaching Guide for 13 Months to 6 Years
Written for educators and parents guiding the youngest children through their first experiences with art materials. This book builds your foundation in early art literacy: what to observe at each developmental stage, how to prepare an environment that invites independent exploration, and which materials belong on the shelf, and when. It is grounded in child development, not craft activity.
What you will learn
- Why early art literacy matters, and what it actually is
- How to speak the artist language with very young children
- The art subjects students need to know
- The characteristics of child artists at each stage
- Methods and approaches for teaching the youngest children
- How to create art activity environments
- The best art materials for your classroom, and a complete list
- How to plan level appropriate activities
- Bonus: activity ideas and lesson examples
Why I wrote this book
For years, early childhood teachers were told that young children cannot learn art. That is not true. Toddlers and early childhood students can learn art, and it comes down to how you teach them. After years of observation I developed a method that introduces art in a way that makes sense to a developing brain.
My promise: after reading this book you will go from feeling confused about how to teach young children art to feeling confident about what children need to learn, why, what to focus on, how to structure activities, and exactly which materials you need.
You do not have to be an artist yourself to teach it.
Book details
- ISBN-13: 978-0991626496
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: 97
- Trim size: 7 x 10 inches
- Interior: Full color photographs
- Staging and environment set up guide
- Complete art materials list
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
3
Early Childhood Art Guide, Montessori
Written for the guide teaching art to children 13 months to 6 years
Written for the individual educator guiding children from 13 months through six years in a prepared environment. It addresses how to observe children as they develop as young artists, how to speak about art in a way that builds visual literacy, and how to prepare an art environment that supports independence. For the educator who wants art to feel as intentional as every other area of the room.
What you will learn
- Why the visual arts belong in the prepared environment, as their own discipline
- How to build lessons around the four key actions: investigate, imagine, construct, and reflect
- How to design an age appropriate program, since children do not learn the way adults do
- Understand the art areas children should learn in early childhood ages
- How hands on art instruction supports sensory neurological development and spatial intelligence
- The practical logistics of a child friendly art space: materials, furnishings, and storage
- How to bring these art lessons into a prepared environment
Why I wrote this book
Guides are trained thoroughly in every area of the classroom except this one. The art shelf is usually the one place a well trained educator is left without a map. This book is that map, written for someone who already knows how to observe a child, using my own method for the art itself.
Book details
- ISBN-13: 978-0991626472
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: 97
- Trim size: 7 x 10 inches
- Interior: Full color, over 100 photographs
- Complete art materials list
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
4
Elementary Art Guide
Written for the educator teaching art in the elementary years
For the elementary educator, this book addresses how children acquire artistic skills across the developmental stages of middle childhood. It treats art as a genuine academic discipline, not an enrichment add on.
What you will learn
- How to understand and meet visual art standards
- The key areas to teach in visual art, and why each one matters
- Which art materials are appropriate at this age
- How to set up an engaging classroom environment for art
- Strategies for staging art work
- The elements and principles of design, the language of art
- Teacher management and classroom routines for art education
- How to create engaging and meaningful art projects
- How to build a lesson plan from inside the Science Art Method™ framework
- How to lead positive art dialogue and encouragement
Why I wrote this book
Elementary educators ask a different question than early childhood educators do. Not "what can they do," but "how do I take this seriously as a subject." This book answers that one.
Book details
- ISBN-13: 979-8991256100
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: 107
- Trim size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Interior: Full color photographs
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
5
Defining Visual Arts
Art education standards and the language of the artist, for early childhood through elementary grades
A focused resource that builds art literacy structure. It addresses what art standards mean in practice, how artist language connects to child development, and what separates genuine art education from craft based activity. A useful starting point and a clear reference to return to.
What you will learn
- What art literacy means
- How to meet art standards
- How artist language relates to teaching children
- What type of art projects to teach
- Which art mediums are best for children
- How to teach artist technique
- How spatial understanding relates to the visual arts
- How to understand the artist process
Book details
- ISBN-13: 979-8991256124
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: 100
- Trim size: 5 x 8 inches
- Interior: Black and white
- Paperback price: $12.99
- Digital price: $9.00
- Digital is a read only file and cannot be printed
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
6
Kids Color Theory
Early Childhood to Elementary
Color is one of the most complex and most misunderstood areas of children's art education. This book explains what children's color theory actually is, why it matters developmentally, and how to build a painting environment where genuine color exploration can take place.
What you will learn
- What color theory means, in terms a child can meet
- How to teach basic color theory to children
- How to identify proper primary pigments and colorants for secondary color mixing
- How to prepare a color mixing environment children thrive in
- Which paints and materials to gather for color mixing
- How to choose colors that build painting skill rather than confuse it
Why I wrote this book
If you teach painting lessons, color is where most of the frustration lives. A contemporary color mixing guide, built around pigmented colorants children can actually use, did not exist. So I wrote one.
Book details
- ISBN-13: 978-0991626434
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: to be supplied
- Trim size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Interior: Full color photographs
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
7
Kids Painting
Early Childhood to Elementary
A resource for educators beginning painting work with children. No prior painting experience is needed. It covers material selection, environment preparation, and how to support children as they develop painting skills at their own pace, so they are genuinely exploring instead of following directions.
What you will learn
- Which paints to buy for children, and which are safe and non toxic
- Exactly which materials you need, without expensive paints and tools
- Which painting activities are appropriate for young children
- How to set up a home or classroom environment for painting
- Basic painting lessons, and how to teach the art elements through brush strokes
- Classroom management approaches used in a working art studio
Why I wrote this book
For years, parents and teachers told me they had found a new love of painting with children after taking my training or watching my videos. They asked for something they could hold. I have painted with over two hundred thousand children across 25 years, and this is the simplest version of what I know.
Book details
- ISBN-13: 978-0991626410
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: 90
- Trim size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Interior: Full color photographs from real art classes
- Paperback ships USPS in 3 to 5 business days
- Digital delivered by email, license allows one printed copy
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
8
Clay Play
Introducing clay modeling in early childhood
Clay offers children something no other material does: direct contact between the hands, the imagination, and a responsive medium. A short, photograph led look book for early childhood educators beginning clay work in the classroom.
What you will learn
- How to support children with simple fine motor clay activities
- How to introduce therapeutic play through clay modeling
- How to prepare a clay environment children thrive in
- How to help children through the frustration a new medium brings
- Which tools and supplies to gather
- Which simple movements and forms suit early childhood
Why I wrote this book
Clay is the medium teachers avoid, usually because of mess and because the first attempt frustrates everyone. It is also the one children remember. This book is the case for putting it back on the shelf, with beautiful photographs of what it looks like when it works.
Please note
This is a look book guide, not a step by step lesson book. It is a short, easy read with beautiful photographs, written to show you what clay work looks like in an early childhood room and why it belongs there. If you want sequential step by step lessons, that is the Clay Modeling Curriculum, sold separately at Store.EcoKidsArt.com.
Book details
- ISBN-13: 978-0991626441
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: to be supplied
- Trim size: to be supplied
- Interior: Full color photographs
- Short easy read, look book format
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
9
Nurturing Children in The Visual Arts Naturally
Cultivate creativity. The thinking behind the Science Art Method™
This book is devoted entirely to children and their relationship to the visual arts. It traces the connection between visual perception and artistic development, and shares the philosophy that grounds everything else in this body of work. For educators who want to understand the deeper why before anything else.
What you will learn
- How children develop art skills
- The link between visual perception and art skill, which is closer than most teaching assumes
- A seven principles guide for nurturing visual arts naturally
- A framework for planning art projects
- An age recommendation phase guide
- Free website links to blogs, art projects, and art supply reviews
Why I wrote this book
Many books teach children's art through traditional fine art. This is not that kind of book. From the opening page:
To a young child, exploring through play is simply natural. Children collect knowledge and gain a sense of their physical world through their senses of seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, and hearing. The excitement a child experiences while dipping a brush in paint and creating strokes of color is a curious mixture of the senses. Visual art exploration is a natural way for children to explore and learn.
Here I offer a new way of teaching visual arts, one that opens your eyes to a child's natural creative abilities.
Book details
- ISBN-13: 978-0991626403
- Formats: Paperback and digital
- Author: Spramani Elaun
- Publisher: Nature of Art® Publishing
- Pages: 87
- Trim size: 9 x 6 inches
- Interior: Full color
Important. Please read before you buy.
This book is a teacher to student guide, written for one educator to use with the children in their care. It is not a training manual, so it is not intended for staff training, teacher training courses, or school wide copying. If you would like to train a team, we license that separately and are glad to help. Email info@Spramani.com.
Digital editions: all digital sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds once access is granted.
The Science Art Method™ is the proprietary method of Spramani Elaun and Nature of Art®. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
Ready for a program
When you want a scaffolded, sequential curriculum.
The books build understanding. The curriculums give you a structured program: materials, progressions, and a guiding framework, organized by medium and developmental stage. Start with one medium. Go deep before you go wide.
About the author
Spramani Elaun
Spramani Elaun is an artist and graphic designer who has dedicated most of her career to childhood art education, becoming one of the first international art trainers. She has authored several books, leads workshops, develops curriculums, and runs the Nature of Art for Kids® art school and art supply company. Spramani holds degrees in Graphic Design, Digital Media Design, Visual Communications, Print Media, and Fine Arts.
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