Crafts are important for many reasons. The most obvious reason is the fact that working on craft projects is a great way to enjoy time with your children, which is good for any family. Still, there are other benefits, one of those being the opportunity to express creativity.
Many of today’s toys, games, and activities require very little imagination, but crafts give children and adults alike a chance to explore more creative outlets. Even if you choose from a list of projects and use the included instructions, you can add twists and unique touches to make each project your own. This gives you and your kids a chance to express your personalities through art.
Working on craft projects also helps develop motor skills and helps to sharpen hand-eye coordination. Drawing, painting, cutting, fitting pieces together, and pasting and gluing all help little ones achieve greater motor function control. When children start drawing and writing at an early age, they tend to not only recognize letters, numbers, shapes, and colors better, but also to enjoy them, because they become familiar with them. This can lead to better learning skills and heightened attention to detail later in life.
As a teacher’s aid at a preschool, most of the more advanced students I worked with were children who regularly practiced drawing, coloring, and writing at home before starting school. They recognized more letters, numbers, shapes, and colors, and some of them could write their first name or at least recognize it by the age of three.
Of course, drawing, writing, coloring, and especially cutting, require adult supervision (I’m not advocating “art” on your walls), but each of these activities helps a child develop a good comfort level with the things he or she needs to learn.
Last but not least, fun is also an important aspect of doing crafts. We all need to take time out to have a little fun!