Art and craft are a world filled with magic and helps one to bring to life their creative colourful ideas. Involving children in art and craft has more benefits in their early years as it guides them through an array of skills that they could imbibe. Some unique benefits are;
- Helps improve their fine motor skills
- Develops hand- eye coordination
- Inculcates creative thinking
- Improves problem solving skills
- Helps them to learn patience
- Increases concentration
- Hones communication skills
- Boosts their self confidence
- They learn to work as a team – which also brings in more ideas when done with peers
- Doing craft with parents helps bond relationships better
- Enhances their decision-making skills
- Ingrains positive thinking
Activities could range from playing with sand, stones, sticks, dry leaves, waste materials etc… These form the first or introductory level to art and craft at childhood. Doing such activity enhances their interests and skills. Hence, encourage them to develop their skills in whatever they do. When you see them doing something, do not stop them. Instead, watch and wait on them to see what they come up with as it forms a way of expression for children. Give them the space to not only explore their skills but also to explore themselves. Often you will notice that their creativity soars high making what looked ordinary enhanced to become extraordinary. Learning through art and craft is the best gift one could give childhood. So keep them cradled with things that they enjoy doing.
