Whether you’re a parent or nursery worker, it’s important to think about how to get young children immersed in the world of creativity, which can benefit their development.
From leaf printing to finger painting, arts and crafts not only help to bring children’s imaginations to life but allow them to develop multiple skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. ABC KIDS say these include improved hand-eye coordination, an understanding of how shapes fit together, and the fact that they have the freedom to experiment in a relaxed environment. For instance, this Gateshead nursery believes that it is important to create a vibrant and inspiring learning environment to support their children.
Another vital skill that arts and crafts can help with is problem-solving. This might usually be associated with subjects like mathematics, but being creative can also develop this skill, according to CBeebies. They say that crafts can help children become more determined and resourceful later in life, as they will need to make decisions on what material to use or what to paint, teaching them to imagine how their creation would look and how to approach it.
The Best Arts and Crafts
Junk Modelling
This low-cost craft involves making new creations from safe items that would otherwise be thrown away, such as egg cartons, cardboard tubes and boxes. This wide range of materials provides children with creative freedom and endless possibilities, which helps to enhance their imagination. It also teaches them about resourcefulness and recycling as it shows that some items don’t need to be thrown out and could be made into an object worth keeping.
Leaf Printing
Since we are now in autumn, there has not been a better time to do some leaf printing, which is a great way to get children involved with nature. This simple, easy-to-do craft involves painting leaves that the children have collected outside, on a flat surface, before turning them over and pressing them down onto a sheet of paper. This will create a print that can be seen once the leaf has been carefully peeled off. It is worth talking about the types of leaves they find, and the activity teaches them the different shapes of the leaves.
Paper Plate Animals
A classic childhood craft, paper plate animals are a fantastic way to educate children on the different types of animals that there are and what they look like. This should also prompt a conversation that might surround topics such as what the animals’ natural habitats are, what they eat and what the children like the most about the animal they have made. Take a look at this handy resource on the educational platform, Twinkl, for some useful inspiration.
Pasta Necklaces
This is a great idea when it comes to educating children on how they can play with food in a sensible way that doesn’t involve making too much mess. Like Junk Modelling, it helps to bring out their creative side as it shows them how to make the ordinary objects that they encounter in their everyday lives into something that is a bit more exciting. This activity can also help to develop the child’s fine motor skills, say the educational website, Nurture Store, since placing the string through the pasta involves strong focus and careful concentration.
Finger Painting
There are minimal resources required for this easy craft, which makes it accessible to almost any child. Finger painting can be used to make all kinds of shapes and patterns. For example, it can be used to add the leaves on the branches of a painted tree or even the petals and leaves on a flower stem. This activity encourages children to be as creative as possible without using a lot. It also teaches them about how different colours can work together.
Therefore, arts and crafts can help the child develop important skills that they will use throughout their childhood and teenage years and into adult life, all while having fun.
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