Have you ever questioned the significance of arts and crafts in a child’s development? Additionally, specialists claim that it is the most crucial factor in a child’s development between the ages of 3 and 8. That’s why Hong Kong, Singapore, and other places around the world do it so frequently in kindergarten and primary school. I can personally attest to the advantages because I began doing arts and crafts at home with my daughter Kelly from a very young age and because I am a kindergarten teacher.
Kids enjoy arts and crafts, and it’s crucial that they practise it at home and in school.
Here are six crucial areas of child development that you may help your children in Hong Kong with by engaging in art and craft activities with them at home.
1. Motor skills
Children are honing their fine motor skills as they use the little muscles in their hands to manipulate art supplies with their fingers. As they get experience using both hands simultaneously, their bilateral coordination abilities advance.
When kids paint, colour, glue, and cut, all of this occurs. The more independently kids can do tasks like eating and tying their own shoes as their fine motor skills advance more quickly. I recall that after a day of instruction, Kelly was able to tie her own laces. Amazing!
2. Literacy
Early childhood art and craft literacy skills span a variety of domains, from speaking and reading to listening and understanding. Children’s communication abilities are improved when they talk about their art or crafts. Why did you select that colour, I ask? Tell me about your creation, please. Parents teach them new words, and when children obey verbal directions, they use their listening abilities. All parents want their children to master this ability as soon as possible so they can start paying attention to us!
To varied degrees, toddlers undergo the rapid growth of their motor, communication, and perspective-taking skills, or their capacity to put themselves in another person’s shoes.
3. Math Concepts
It’s common to overlook the need of basic math abilities in art and craft projects. However, math skills are regularly used and help preschoolers develop their mathematical abilities.
Children can count and organise their art supplies, count and recognise various shapes, and even measure the lengths and sizes of various art items. It need sound reasoning and problem-solving skills, which art and craft projects can help you develop.
4. Creativity
Kids can cultivate their creativity through art, which is beneficial for them throughout their life. Making something artistic allows for self-expression, which helps kids express (and manage) their emotions. It also encourages children’s mental development by giving them the chance to experiment with new concepts, methods of thinking, and problem-solving techniques.
I came discovered this fascinating article about Mary Ann Kohl, who has written multiple award-winning children’s art idea books. She claimed in an interview that creativity in kids comes from their involvement in the creative process rather than their attention to the final product. It is important to distinguish between creativity and talent, skill, and intelligence. Being creative is about thinking, investigating, learning, and imagining—not about doing something better than others.
5. Self-Esteem
Kids can take pride in their work and feel a sense of accomplishment via art and craft activities, which helps them feel more confident. Making art is a fantastic, risk-free approach to learn that it’s alright to make mistakes and that doing things “wrong” can inspire completely original thinking. Children experience new things while also honing their “self-regulation skills” (e.g. when waiting for paint or glue to dry). They learn patience, which is a skill that all children struggle with. even I occasionally!
6. Quality time / Parent Bonding
Children adore spending time with their parents, and what better activity to do together than arts and crafts? You get to spend valuable time bonding with your children while also making treasured memories that will last a lifetime. Together, you may chat about what you are making and explore various concepts and topics while crafting. You are free to express what you believe, feel, and care about. Additionally, your youngster isn’t using technology or staring at a screen, which is a huge plus!
Kelly adores performing a variety of arts and crafts projects with her dad and me, from simple colouring to creating three-dimensional objects.
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