Crafting is a fun activity for kids and it’s also one that benefits their development in some surprising ways.
How crafting can benefit youth Various activities can harness boundless energy which kids have Kids have boundless energy. Parents of young children can look to various activities to harness that energy, and crafting is one endeavor that makes use of kids’ enthusiasm and creativity. Craft projects are more than just a means to getting energetic youngsters to sit down and focus their attention. Crafting pays various dividends for youngsters, some of which may surprise parents.
Crafting and hand-eye coordination
Crafting helps children develop hand-eye coordination. The Illinois-based North Shore Pediatric Therapy notes that crafts that involve drawing shapes, cutting patterns and writing require
youngsters to use their fine motor coordination. Coloring, drawing and cutting also require children to use their hands together, helping to develop and strengthen their hand-eye coordination. That development can help kids perform a host of additional tasks, including tying shoes, buttoning coats and eating independently.
complicated undertakings in which kids follow directions, or they can simply allow kids to create something from their own imaginations. Each type of project involves creating something new and encourages kids to develop their creative skills.
self-control and patience until the project can be considered finished.
Crafting and the classroom
A 2018 report from the AAP noted that children who use their hands are strengthening areas in Crafting and patience the brain that are associated with Parents know that patience is spatial and mathematical learnnot necessarily a virtue of young ing. This is an important benefit Crafting and creativity children. Craft projects, particof crafting and one that the AAP Crafting presents a great oppor- ularly those that require cutting report notes is not gained by kids tunity for kids to explore their and gluing, do not provide instant who forgo physical activities like creativity. The American Acadgratification because they require crafting for play that relies on emy of Pediatrics urges parents multiple steps and time to dry interactive media. to prioritize creative, unplugged before they’re completed. The benefits of crafting associplaytime for infants and toddlers, North Shore Pediatric Therapy ated with spatial and mathematand that can include time devoted notes that such projects teach ical learning could help younger to craft projects. kids self-regulation because they children once they begin their Craft projects can include more require youngsters to exhibit academic careers.
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