Art with Coach T | Projects to Help Kids Build Resilience, Self-discipline, and Creative Problem Solving Skills

Make Art. Build Resilience.

Welcome to Art with Coach T — I help children learn to problem solve, manage difficulty, and overcome perfectionism through creative challenges.

My projects are designed to help kids work through the frustration of growth, not around it, in a super low-risk way.

Art is the tool. Growth mindset is the goal.

We don’t know what the future holds. But we DO know that to be successful, children will need self-discipline and creative problem solving skills.

Why not build those healthy life habits with a little bit of art making?

Teachers, start here:
Browse Lesson Plans for the Classroom

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Mystery Pattern Placemats Lesson Short

$3.00

It’s mid-autumn (or any season, really) and you want to create something funky and functional that will grab your students’ attention and KEEP them focused amidst holiday frenzies or mid-year burnout.

I’ve got you covered with this stunning paper weaving project.

In this lesson, students will use lines to create a mystery pattern placemat using the simplest paper weaving technique — the tabby stitch.

These placemats are not only super easy to make, but they’re also such a fun gift to bring home for dinner-heavy holidays! And if it’s not a placemat, it’s a totally rad wall tapestry.

Paper weaving is one of the best ways to strengthen fine motor skills, develop dexterity, and improve hand-eye coordination. Not to mention the flow state that naturally occurs once students get into a rhythm!

Make a single mat or an entire set for the whole family! Make them big, make them small. Your kids will LOVE this paper weaving project!

What's included:

Lesson summary
Materials list
Detailed written instructions
Photos of student work
Printable pattern templates and visual aids

Lesson Shorts are designed for seasoned art teachers who need the minimal amount of information to teach an excellent art lesson.

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Cityscape Printmaking Art Lesson Plan

$6.00

In this lesson, students will create a class cityscape reflecting against a body of water. Each student will get to design their own small series of buildings to contribute to a final display.

This multi-media project features drawing, painting, and printing, and is an excellent opportunity to review knowledge of symmetry, lines and shapes, and explore the magic of printing!

Whether your students choose tIo combine old-world structures with modern buildings, design something futuristic or out of this world – this project provides a great way for students to contribute a unique creation to a larger cohesive piece. The end result is a gorgeous showcase of diverse personalities and aesthetics within a class community!

Enjoy the symphony of “oooohs” and “aaahs” as each student pulls their print. It’s a golden moment of art making!

What's Included:

Lesson Summary
Materials List
Building Lines Idea Sheet
Detailed Written Instructions
Step-by-step Photos
Instructional Video
Student Work Examples

Lesson Plans are designed for new and seasoned art teachers who need the essentials and support of photos and/or video to teach a classroom-tested and kid-approved art lesson.

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Fall Trees Art Lesson Bundle | Collage and Mixed Media

$5.00

Want to create the most beautiful fall trees with your young artists?

These autumn lessons are perfect for learning warm and cool colors, using lines in new ways, and building drawing skills!

The collage and mixed media can be done with kids ages 5 and up! Excellent projects for the classroom, a group of mixed-aged kids, and homeschool art activities!

What’s Included:

Lesson summaries
Materials lists
Detailed written instructions
Tree templates (collage lesson only)
Tree Drawing Digital Process Video (mixed media lesson only)
Full Lesson Digital Process Video (mixed media lesson only)
Photos of student work

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Mixed Media Fall Trees Lesson Short

$3.00

These delicate fall trees are one of my favorite fall lessons to do with my younger artists.

It’s a simple, quick project that teaches kids about warm and cool colors, the changing seasons, and how to create movement with pattern and line type.

This lesson also provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen fine motor skills as students use delicate lines to draw their trees. The time for scratchy and thick trunks has passed!

AND we use cotton swabs to paint instead of brushes! Introducing an unexpected tool for painting is always a HUGE hook for little learners.

This lesson is super flexible as a late fall or early winter lesson – both versions are equally beautiful!

What's included:

Lesson summary
Materials list
Detailed written instructions
Tree Drawing Digital Process Video
Full Lesson Digital Process Video
Photos of student work

Lesson Shorts are designed for seasoned art teachers who need the minimal amount of information to teach an excellent art lesson.

Read more →

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Families, start here:

If your child gets frustrated quickly or tends to give up…
Hey perfectionist friends! I’m in this club too!

→ Start with this Stained Glass Window Painting
It’s a simple, confidence-building project with clear steps and a quick win.
Plus the tape peeling is VERY satisfying.

If your child rushes through things or skips details…
Love you my speedy McGees but SLOW down!

→ Try this Line Landscape
This project is a slower, more focused project that helps kids stay with the process and practice patience. Lots of simple lines, can make something look SUPER complex.

If your child says “I’m bored” easily…
Bored?! Okay, time to color, rip, glue, and spatter—ALL the things!

→ Make this Abstract Art Collage
This is a project with lots of different materials and creative decision-making that keeps the process exciting. AND there are three different ways to spatter paint. Who’s bored now?!

If you want a meaningful activity you can create together…
From one parent to another — sit and create with your kids. Model beginner bravery. They won’t forget it.
- → Create a Tie dye Peace Sign Print
  Make it an at-home art night—get snacks, invite friends, play music, and enjoy this REALLY easy printing project! Your kids are going to want to make ten prints.

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Testimonials

What parents are saying…

“[Coach T] teaches mindfulness, strength, and positivity in a natural, casual way that kids absorb and take with them.” - DJ

“Her creativity and upbeat approach allows elementary school age kids to make art and believe in a growth mindset.” - JR

“I have met few people with her energetic demeanor, passion for art, commitment to “perfection” and honoring her students’ work.” - HB

“Coach T leads by example, she marches to her own beat, and encourages students to do the same. To be kind and fierce and unique while remembering to love those same qualities in others.” - JC

About Me

Hi, I’m Caitlyn—my students call me Coach T.

For the past decade in the art room, I have built an art program that allows children to practice personal accountability, responsible decision making, and healthy frustration management.

My philosophy centers around growth mindset and resilience. And I believe children need low-risk opportunities to practice being uncomfortable.

Yes, you read that right. Children need to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

And now that I have moved beyond the art room, I am building a library of guided art projects so you (parents!) can create alongside your child and build connection while they build real-life skills.

If you’re curious, pick a project and make something together.