8 incredible benefits of crafting with young children

Crafting with young children can be very beneficial. Children of preschool age are only small in size, but their brains are like sponges, absorbing knowledge at exponential rates.

There is so much research around us right now, highlighting that the early learning years are the most critical for their development. As parents and educators, we are always looking for more effective ways to support their growth in these crucial years of early development. There are many ways we can support this, and one of the most creative and powerful ways to foster this is through crafting. Crafting not only provides fun and engaging activities for preschoolers, but it also offers a plethora of developmental benefits.

There are many advantages to preschoolers learning through the art of crafting; it can stimulate their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. This article highlights some of the many benefits that crafting has on preschoolers.

One of the most important benefits evident with crafting for preschoolers is the enhancement of fine motor skills. The use of small objects such as scissors, threading beads, and coloring within lines all requires accurate hand-eye coordination and control. As a result, activities such as these strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers, setting the foundation for later writing and drawing abilities. Crafting is a fun and engaging way to regularly practice these skills, refining their fine motor skills and also assisting with simple tasks such as buttoning a shirt to more complex ones like learning to tie their shoelaces.

Crafting is a fantastic means for preschoolers to demonstrate their creativity and let their imaginations run wild. When children are given the freedom to explore with materials, colors, and shapes, they learn to push themselves outside their comfort zones and develop their unique creative style. Crafting encourages children to be imaginative, think outside the box, and bring their visions to life. It allows them to journey through a project from start to finish, while also developing the skills to problem-solve and innovate all at the same time. Moreover, it builds their confidence and pride, fostering a sense of accomplishment when they complete their projects, further motivating them to explore their creativity further.

Crafting explores various cognitive processes, such as planning, decision-making, and spatial awareness. When preschoolers regularly engage in crafting activities, they learn structure, follow instructions, and sequences. This improves their organizational and analytical skills. Creating crafts also explores mathematical concepts, such as symmetry and patterns in a fun, hands-on, and engaging way. Additionally, crafting encourages critical thinking when they are making decisions about colours, materials, and designs. This fosters their cognitive development in a play-based environment.

Crafting provides opportunities for preschoolers to broaden their vocabulary and communication skills. When children are having fun crafting, they are often engaging in conversations with adults or peers, describing what they are doing, asking questions, and expressing their thoughts and feelings about their creative works. These interactions are beneficial and help them develop their communication skills, expand their vocabulary, and coherently express and articulate their ideas effectively. Furthermore, crafting often embraces the regular use of different literacy skills such as reading and following instructions. This improves their literacy skills at an early age as they learn to recognize alphabet letters, numbers, and shapes, progressing to words and symbols.

Crafting fosters vital social skills. Although crafting can be a solitary activity, it can also be a social one. When children craft together, they learn important skills such as sharing ideas and materials, having respectful conversations, taking turns, and collaborating on projects. Children continuously improve and build on their social skills, such as cooperation, communication, and empathy. Additionally, group-based projects encourage children to communicate and share their ideas, improve their listening skills, teach them to behave respectfully, and promote a sense of belonging and community. All these social interactions help them develop the necessary skills and build foundations for creating positive relationships with peers and adults.

Crafting teaches children important attributes of patience and perseverance. Some crafting projects involve complex and challenging processes and can often involve a series of steps and can be time-consuming and tedious. Most often, children get distracted, lose their concentration, and give up too easily. With positive reinforcement and encouragement, preschoolers learn valuable life skills of patience and persistence as they work through the various stages of a project. They slowly understand that not everything is instant and that some things require time, effort, and perseverance. Once a project is completed, they feel a sense of accomplishment. The effort and resilience shown will serve them well throughout their lives as they face challenges and setbacks.

Completing a crafting project will build confidence, whether it’s a simple finger-painting activity or a more complex sculpture. When a child completes any craft, it instills a sense of accomplishment and achievement, significantly building their self-esteem and confidence. When they see their creations displayed or receive praise and recognition from adults and peers, it reinforces confidence in their abilities and boosts their self-worth. This newfound confidence can positively impact various aspects of their lives, from academics to personal relationships.

Crafting can be therapeutic and can be used as an emotionally expressive activity for preschoolers. It gives children an outlet to release their emotions and express their feelings, whether it’s through painting, sculpting, or crafting with textiles. This form of art and creative expression can help them cope with more difficult feelings, such as frustration or sadness, and can serve as a means of comfort, calm, and relaxation. Children’s choice of color when crafting may also indicate their current mood and feelings, which may help adults initiate more relevant conversations. Furthermore, it is evident that crafting can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting overall emotional well-being in children.

Preschoolers who regularly craft build on many essential and important skills, offering a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond the simple act of creating art. It strengthens their fine motor skills, stimulates cognitive development, promotes social skills, and nurtures emotional well-being. Crafting teaches children in preschool and kindergarten valuable life skills and attributes like expressing their creativity, developing patience and persistence, and building self-esteem and confidence. This holistic approach to early childhood development allows children to engage in a meaningful and enjoyable way, setting the stage for a lifetime of learning and creative exploration. As parents and educators, embracing the power of crafting in early childhood education can help children grow into confident, imaginative, and well-rounded individuals.

Artaco has a huge range of crafting activities to choose from.