How can parents disguise learning as fun? Engage kids in an arts and crafts session! Children of all ages benefit from arts and crafts, learning important skills which improve not only classroom performance but creativity, problem solving abilities, and overall well being.
Unleash Creativity
For students who spend a great deal of time in a traditional classroom setting, arts and crafts projects offer an essential outlet for healthy self-expression and creative experimentation.
Simply letting kids loose in a room full of materials is not a recipe for success, however. Instead, utilize "freedom within a structure." Make the “assignment” clear and focused, but allow freedom regarding how the task(s) will be accomplished. For example, balance instruction (we will be decorating flower pots today) and freedom of materials (medium options include paint, glitter, stickers, and mosaic tiles).
Younger children will need projects with more simple instructions. But older students will quickly gain confidence when they are able to choose their colors, size, style, and more.
Develop and enhance Fine Motor skills
According to the Education Week article, “Getting Hands-On with Fine-Motor Skills” by teacher Allison Sampish, “Research has long shown links between students’ fine-motor skills and their future academic achievement.”
Using hands and fingers to create actually helps improve hand and eye coordination. So, from finger paints at the toddler stage, to the use of scissors and paint brushes for elementary school children, to mastering hammers, screw drivers, and other construction tools for older kids, arts and crafts provide a fun way to develop important manual dexterity.
A few additional examples of motor skill exercises that can be incorporated into projects include bending pipe cleaners into specific shapes (pipe cleaner flowers), cutting patterns (paper snowflakes), and stringing buttons or beads (for jewelry making, mobiles, and ornaments).
Hone Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
There are four steps to successful problem solving. And, arts and crafts projects allow children to develop skills at every level:
Identify the problem: How can I best affix this decoration to my picture? Should I use glue or tape?
Create a plan: Explore properties (permanent glue versus removable tape) and information (the weight of the decoration).
Solve the problem: Try tape first to see if it will hold the decoration’s weight.
Reflect on actions and results: Evaluate what went right and what went wrong (tape did not hold so had to use the glue).
As children work on various projects they’ll continue to learn new ways to approach challenges, figure out how to fix any mistakes, and find the creative solutions needed to finish the job.
Crafty Ideas to Get You Started
For the youngest children, simplicity of instruction and materials is essential. Overly complicated, multi-step projects may frustrate kids. So, start with the basics.
Ideas for tiny hands include:
Simple gluing projects (attaching a random mash-up of colorful buttons, old puzzle pieces, scraps of fabric, pom poms, shells, beads, or other materials to picture frames, door hangers, or holiday ornaments)
Easy painting projects (birdhouses, river rocks, pre-cut balsa wood shapes)
Tactile sculpting using mess-free salt dough or air-dry clay
Older children may enjoy creating:
Hand sewn fabric projects (felt and sock puppets)
Yarn weaving on looms or “potholder” weaving
Beaded bracelets, necklaces and lanyards
Papier mâché banks, figurines and (if you are ambitious!) piñatas
Older kids may try their hand at more complex tasks such as:
Woodworking involving tools (birdfeeders, signs)
Hand painting recycled clear glass jars or bottles to mimic stained glass
Machine sewing or needle work
Initially, you can let your child take the lead with projects that interest them. However, continue to explore new mediums. Together, you may just stumble on a craft passion that lasts a lifetime!
Where to Find Supplies
Craft supplies need not be pricey. In fact, turning “trash into treasure” can be part of the fun.
Inexpensive items such as popsicle sticks, glue, pom poms and clothespins are all readily available at local “dollar stores,” arts and crafts stores, and even major retailers. For the budget conscious, many Goodwill locations also have large craft sections with items from previous projects conveniently bundled or bagged for a fraction of the original price. In fact, bundles of high-quality yarn, silk flowers, wooden pieces, and much more can often be found for mere pennies on the dollar.
But many of the most useful arts and crafts materials are actually free! Empty paper towel holders and cereal boxes, empty egg cartons, old greeting cards, cellophane from windowed envelopes, stray buttons, broken jewelry, and more can all be stashed for future projects.
Still Not Sure Where to Get Started?
Here are some project ideas from the experts that are sure to spark creativity in your child!