Your children want to paint, play with playdoh or make slime and all you can think about is the mess. It may be messy but children are actually learning and developing in essential ways during arts and crafts.
- Bilateral Coordination– Crafts such as colouring, drawing, cutting, all require your child to use both of their hands together. This skill is important in other areas of their lives as they continue to grow, such as writing, tying shoes, typing and so much more!
- Fine Motor Coordination– In order to draw shapes, cut patterns, and hand write, your child is required to use their fine motor coordination. These skills similarly translate to other areas of their lives, such as dressing and eating.
- Self-Regulation– Crafts that require drying time! This is a great lesson for your child to demonstrate self-control and patience. Also, as always things might not go exactly as we hope! Crafts are a great way to promote flexibility in your child. There is no right or wrong way in exploring one’s own creativity!
- Self-esteem booster– Although we want to challenge our children, it is also important to initially choose arts and crafts that are at your child’s skill level. Completing the crafts successfully will give them a great sense of accomplishment and pride. As you and your child begin to explore more crafts, you can add in more and more challenges
- Imagination and Self Expression -When children participate in arts and crafts, creativity and imagination receive strong stimulation. A child with a paintbrush in their hand suddenly has the ability to create vivid paintings and express themselves boldly with colour and brush strokes.