How to Engage Art History in a Child-Directed Way

Art history in a child-directed way is one of my favourite parts of homeschooling — but how do we actually bring it into our homes so our children enjoy it, too?

In fact, if we removed art, acting, handiwork, innovation, and the written word from our homes, we’d be left doing the dishes and heading to bed after the kids were tucked in.

Instead, we watch, we play, we read, we discuss and debate, we click and tap, we sew and knit, we draw and paint. In other words, this is what art history in a child-directed way looks like in real life — not a formal curriculum, but a rhythm of exposure and wonder. Additionally, if you want the fuller picture of what this looks like across all the arts, not just art history, I’ve written more on how to do fine arts in a child-directed way.

Start Here: Deschool Your Homeschool

Before we dive into art history in a child-directed way, grab my free Deschool Your Homeschool Checklist — it’ll help you shift from school-at-home to joyful, curiosity-led learning, so the rest of this post actually clicks for your family.

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Why I Teach Art History in a Child-Directed Way

Possibly, in another life, I was a liberal arts major. No time like the present as a homeschool mom.

I try to introduce my children to composers of different periods, music of different genres, books of different flavours, and the art of different eras — mostly because I love learning about it so much myself. (One of the underrated benefits of the homeschool-mom life.)

So I offer a full-flavour cornucopia of the liberal arts in our homeschool — no worksheets required. This same child-directed approach carries over into other subjects too, like how we do homeschool science in a child-directed way.

Our Favourite Way Into Art History: The Katie Series by James Mayhew

This is a series we discovered on visits to Paris’s Louvre and London’s National Gallery: Katie by James Mayhew. (You’ll find the best curriculum ideas in museums and galleries, not workbooks.)

These vividly illustrated picture books introduce children to artists most of us already know.

Katie Meets the Impressionists covers:

• Claude Monet (my favourite — I may have named my homestead after his gardens)
• Pierre-Auguste Renoir
• Edgar Degas

Interested in pointillism? Try Katie and the Bathers:

• Georges Seurat
• Paul Signac
• Camille Pissarro

You’ll recognize this one: Katie and the Mona Lisa — though the real painting is much smaller than the book suggests, and permanently surrounded by onlookers.

Curious about post-impressionism? Katie and the Sunflowers features:

• Vincent Van Gogh
• Paul Gauguin
• Paul Cezanne

There’s also Discover Art with Katie (sticker book style) and Colour with Katie. My kids want to do something with their hands during a morning read-aloud, so a sticker book or colouring book keeps everyone in the room. And if your kids are the type to push back on “art time” altogether, this is worth a read: homeschool fine arts, even if your kids don’t want to.

Overall, reading and re-reading these books with my kids is exactly what art history in a child-directed way looks like day to day — it makes me feel like their education is genuinely well-rounded, and yes, they’ll be able to hold their own discussing the basics at future soirees.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” — Pablo Picasso

Go Deeper: Journal Your Art History in a Child-Directed Way

Once you’ve deschooled your thinking and started weaving art history into your days, the next step is capturing what’s actually working for your family — not someone else’s ideal homeschool.

Deschool Your Homeschool Journaling Workbook

First, this guided journal helps you process the mental shift from school-at-home to a homeschool where art history in a child-directed way — and every other subject — reflects your values and your child’s real learning style. Then, use it alongside the free checklist to turn insight into an actual weekly rhythm.

Get the Journaling Workbook →

Further Resources You Might Enjoy

• Reimagine Your Homeschool Coaching Services
• Benefits of Homeschooling You Didn’t Expect: Mom’s Education
• How to Create an Afternoon Liberal Arts Program

Ready to Stop Spinning Your Wheels?

I help homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool and life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently — every day, not just on the good days.

Ultimately, book a free, no-obligation no-obligation Aligned Homeschool Reset Session. We’ll build a personalized plan that meets your family exactly where you are right now.

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