By Spramani Elaun
Scheduling art lessons on a weekly basis creates consistency, builds confidence, and supports steady skill development for children. Whether you’re teaching a classroom of 30 students, leading large art workshops, or homeschooling your child, a weekly art rhythm helps you meet visual arts standards without feeling overwhelmed.
In this guide, I’ll show you a simple, realistic way to schedule weekly art lesson plans for early childhood through upper elementary grades.
Start With Your Art Goal
Before planning lessons, clarify what you want children to learn over time. Art goal setting keeps lessons purposeful rather than random.
Ask yourself:
- What art skills do I want children to practice this month?
- Which medium will we focus on?
- How will skills build from one week to the next?
I recommend regular engagement with art. A minimum of one art experience per week allows children to revisit materials, strengthen techniques, and grow creatively without rushing.
Why Weekly Art Lessons Work
Weekly art lessons give children time to:
- Revisit skills and materials
- Build confidence through repetition
- Explore new techniques gradually
- Develop deeper focus and independence
Instead of switching materials constantly, children benefit from staying with one medium long enough to understand it.
Example: A Monthly Weekly Art Schedule
One effective approach is to focus on one art medium per month. Each week introduces a new concept while reinforcing previous learning.
Example: Clay Modeling Month
- Week 1: Introduction to clay
- Week 2: forms
- Week 3: Geometric forms
- Week 4: Applied sculpture
Each lesson builds on the last while aligning naturally with the Elements and Principles of Design.
Keep Weekly Lessons Focused and Manageable
Every weekly lesson should:
- Introduce one main skill
- Allow time for hands-on practice
- Reinforce previously learned techniques
- End with reflection or observation
This approach keeps lessons calm, intentional, and developmentally appropriate.
Need More How-To Art Guidance?
If you’d like deeper structure and ready-to-use guidance, explore my art teaching books:
- Book 1. Early Childhood Art Guide
- Book 2. Elementary Guide – Introducing Visual Art To The Montessori Classroom
- Book 3. Defining Visual Arts
- Book 4. Nurturing Visual Arts
These resources are designed to help you plan art lessons confidently—without stress or guesswork.
Warmly,
Spramani Elaun
About the Author: Spramani Elaun is a professional artist, author of 10 books on early childhood and elementary art education, and founder of Nature of Art®. She holds degrees in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Digital Media, Print Media, and Business, and has spent over two decades developing the Science Art Method™. She trains Montessori schools and independent educators worldwide.
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