From developing fine motor skills to supporting self-esteem, getting crafty has serious perks for your child.
When the kitchen table is transformed into Craft Central, you might not realise that your child is building skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives behind all of the paint and glitter. Crafting, on the other hand, is a great way for youngsters to pick up a lot of valuable life skills. Just a few examples are provided below for each age group!
For Preschoolers…
- Crafting helps develop fine motor skills.
The act of picking up a crayon or paint brush helps toddlers develop the muscles that will later assist them with buttoning their coats, tying their shoes, writing, and a variety of other activities.
- It boosts counting and pattern recognition.
You probably already know this, but did you realise that stringing beads is an excellent way to learn patterns and practise counting? Those are skills students will utilise later on in algebra! Young people who are interested in crafting can also hone their counting skills by counting the number of steps in the instructions or by determining the appropriate number of components they will need to finish their chosen project.
- It teaches shapes and colors.
In order to create the picture they desire from the concept book with the Klutz Jr. My Fantastic Foam kit, children need to locate and recognise all of the different shaped and coloured foam pieces that are included in the kit. Your youngster goes through the exact same cognitive process even when they are doing something as simple as colouring.
For Kids in Elementary School…
- Crafting encourages critical thinking.
The act of making something naturally prompts children to contemplate the end result as well as the actions they will need to take in order to reach it.
- It builds resilience.
It takes time to develop something, and there is no guarantee that the result will be flawless on the very first attempt. Taking part in creative pursuits teaches children that it is acceptable to make blunders and that it is better to look for a solution to a problem than to give in to frustration right away.
- It supports reluctant readers.
Reading a manual or a set of instructions is still reading! Kids who have active hands have something to focus on while they read the following step when they are engaged in an activity like crafting.
For Tweens and Teens…
- Crafting supports self-esteem.
The act of making something by hand or engaging in other creative pursuits instils in them a sense of self-assurance and pride. The effect is known as the “Yeah, I made that!” effect.
- It encourages a creative mindset.
Participating in artistic pursuits teaches one that there are always various routes one can take to accomplish the same goal.
People who are good at creative thinking are able to think beyond the simple concept of “it works” and are more intellectually flexible in a world that is always being transformed. According to the results of a survey conducted by IBM Global CEO in 2010, over sixty percent of CEOs ranked creativity as the most crucial trait for a leader to possess.
- It develops patience.
We live in a world that is obsessed with instant gratification, yet we are also aware that not everything will occur instantly. When children are making crafts, they might have to wait for materials to dry or set before moving on to the next phase. Additionally, they might need to be aware that completing a craft might require more than one session.