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The Benefits of Crafting
1. Self-Expression & Managing Feelings
Crafting projects can help children express themselves in new ways. As little ones learn how to express creativity through art, they will learn healthy coping mechanisms and find new ways to work through big feelings
2. Confidence & Self-Esteem
When children are able to create things that they are in charge of, it gives them confidence. Completing a project and sharing work can help children to feel great about themselves and their abilities.
3. Fine Motor Skills
Crafting requires children to perform a variety of tasks that can help develop and sharpen fine motor skills. Students will use scissors to cut paper and fabric, grip pencils and markers, thread needles and tie knots, and use buttons and beads.
4. Patience
When younger children craft, learning a new skill such as sewing requires having patience with themselves, Once they complete a step, they may need to wait for instructions and/or assistance before moving on. Bigger projects can also take more than one lesson to complete.
5. Process vs. Product
Process-oriented crafts are a huge opportunity for children to make choices, come to their own conclusions, and evaluate outcomes. When you focus on the process instead of the product, children remain flexible thinkers and become much more comfortable with uncertainty. This also helps children to develop early problem solving skills.
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6. Focus & Concentration
Depending on the child, it can be challenging to focus on a task at hand. With crafting, there is often a goal in mind, and the motivation tends to be higher, often bringing concentration and focus to otherwise distractible little ones. Practicing these skills will benefit them in many areas of life.
7. Visual Processing & Memory
Crafting aids in the development of visual-spatial skills. These skills help children to analyze what they see and make choices based the information they collect. Arts and crafts projects also help to develop executive function, which includes working memory.
9. Literacy
Arts and crafts help foster early literacy skills. This ranges from discussing different ideas and reading instructions to listening and understanding next steps. Children are always excited to share their completed work, which develops their communication skills. Often, learning a new skill can also come with learning new vocabulary.
10. Math
During crafting lessons, children often recognize shapes, count and sort their supplies and even measure out lengths and various sizes of materials.
11. Community & Friendships
Children build friendships and community with others through art. Crafting can be a common ground for children who are not as comfortable with each other and who may or may not be interested in the same things. When children are crafting together, they can discuss what they are making and brainstorm different ideas together. Children also love to share their creations with friends and family, building even stronger connections through something that they are passionate about.