Merriam-Webster defines arts and crafts as “objects that are meant to be both useful and beautiful; the activity of making such objects.” That is all fine and dandy, but how can arts and crafts benefit your child's development, both now and later in life? Let's take a look.
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are nothing more than small movements. When you pick up tiny objects, hold a fork or spoon, or manipulate a pen or pencil to draw, you are employing fine motor skills. And with your child colours, makes a craft project at school or creates a pasta and glue art masterpiece, he is improving his fine motor skills. Don't dismiss popular packaged craft toys either, such as the incredibly popular Loom Bands craze, which can be made for pocket money prices.
Better visual processing abilities
You notice patterns, colours and physical improbabilities without thinking twice. That is because when you worked on crafts and your artistic efforts were promoted as a child, you were improving your visual processing skills. This cognitive development is very important in your child's early years. And when you help your little princess create a paper tiara while reinforcing the names and identification of primary colours and objects, you boost your child's visual processing capabilities both now and later in life.
Promoted executive functioning
We are not referring to your child's ability to become CEO of a Footsie 100 company, btw! (Not yet anyway.) Executive functioning means focusing attention, controlling impulses and using working memory. All of those skills are effectively promoted when you break out the crayons, craft paper, scissors and glue and sit down with some arts and crafts quality time with your child. These skills guide planned behaviour, and are very predictive of later professional and academic success.
Self-esteem skyrockets
One of the most important stages of child development is when toddlers learn to feel good about themselves. Arts and crafts activities empower children with positive emotional responses to learning. They understand that they created something, and when you encourage and promote this creativity, your kids enjoy a feeling of self-pride.
The benefits of arts and crafts for child development are numerous. So the next time you want to give your child the best chance at a full and rewarding life, why not make a pirate hat? Help your children make Halloween costumes rather than buying them at Asda or Tesco. Carve out a pumpkin lantern or or show them how to make cotton ball snowmen just like Olaf in Disney's Frozen. These simple arts and crafts projects will give your children's self-esteem a boost, their fine motor skills are developed, planned behaviour is reinforced and important visual processing and recognition is achieved.
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are nothing more than small movements. When you pick up tiny objects, hold a fork or spoon, or manipulate a pen or pencil to draw, you are employing fine motor skills. And with your child colours, makes a craft project at school or creates a pasta and glue art masterpiece, he is improving his fine motor skills. Don't dismiss popular packaged craft toys either, such as the incredibly popular Loom Bands craze, which can be made for pocket money prices.
Better visual processing abilities
You notice patterns, colours and physical improbabilities without thinking twice. That is because when you worked on crafts and your artistic efforts were promoted as a child, you were improving your visual processing skills. This cognitive development is very important in your child's early years. And when you help your little princess create a paper tiara while reinforcing the names and identification of primary colours and objects, you boost your child's visual processing capabilities both now and later in life.
Promoted executive functioning
We are not referring to your child's ability to become CEO of a Footsie 100 company, btw! (Not yet anyway.) Executive functioning means focusing attention, controlling impulses and using working memory. All of those skills are effectively promoted when you break out the crayons, craft paper, scissors and glue and sit down with some arts and crafts quality time with your child. These skills guide planned behaviour, and are very predictive of later professional and academic success.
Self-esteem skyrockets
One of the most important stages of child development is when toddlers learn to feel good about themselves. Arts and crafts activities empower children with positive emotional responses to learning. They understand that they created something, and when you encourage and promote this creativity, your kids enjoy a feeling of self-pride.
The benefits of arts and crafts for child development are numerous. So the next time you want to give your child the best chance at a full and rewarding life, why not make a pirate hat? Help your children make Halloween costumes rather than buying them at Asda or Tesco. Carve out a pumpkin lantern or or show them how to make cotton ball snowmen just like Olaf in Disney's Frozen. These simple arts and crafts projects will give your children's self-esteem a boost, their fine motor skills are developed, planned behaviour is reinforced and important visual processing and recognition is achieved.
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