Years ago, most children would have seen a range of everyday arts and crafts taking place either in their home or in their local neighbourhood. Today many children only ever see finished products in shops and so miss learning about the processes involved. Arts and crafts encompass everything from knitting and sewing through to designing and making fabric, tiles and jewellery.
BENEFITS
For children, arts and crafts activities have many developmental benefits.
Physical skills Most arts and crafts activities involve some level of fine motor movement alongside hand-eye co-ordination. This might include a tripod grasp when using a needle or holding a paintbrush.
Language development Every arts and crafts activity will have specific vocabulary. This might include the words ‘teasing and carding’ if children are preparing wool for spinning, or ‘slip’ if children are watching a potter join two pieces of clay. Watching or, better still, joining in arts and crafts activities is likely to encourage children to chat and also ask questions.
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