5 Amazing Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Kids
Researchers believe that arts and crafts are an essential part of a child’s development. But have you ever wondered why? How does it benefit them to excel in life?
Though painting, coloring, and crafting might sometimes get messy, they enhance your child’s brain development, physical and social skills.
Want to contribute to these life long skills? Then let your munchkin scribble away, dab his hands in paint or splatter it to his heart’s desire.
What’s more, a few stains can oil the wheels of his creative journey!
All around the world, teachers and caregivers introduce kids to arts and crafts as soon as begin kindergarten. This hands-on activities open a creative world for them, giving them a headstart in developing their individuality. But to reap the full benefits, parents should endorse such activities at home as well.
Read on to find 5 incredible benefits of practicing arts and crafts with your child at home.
Learn literacy skills
Arts and crafts enhance literacy skills, which include speaking, listening and reading. Crafting sets common grounds for kids to interact and socialize with others kids. It helps them develop communication skills, expand their vocabulary, and follow verbal instructions using their listening skills. Parents can provide verbal cues, ask questions about their creation or, introduce colors to help kids further hone this skill.
Improve motor skills
What are motor skills, you ask? These skills help you with coordination and dexterity. Although there are two types of motor skills, gross and fine motor skills, both are important. Gross motor skills include using bigger muscles like the thighs and legs, and fine motor skills help kids with precision. However, kids develop the latter gradually throughout their formative years. Since arts and crafts involve holding crayons, color pencils, scissors and paintbrushes, it helps kids improve hand-to-eye coordination, lift objects, master the pincer grasp and develop the sense of using their muscles. The better motor skills they have, the more effortlessly they can do daily activities like writing, tying shoelaces, learning to use cutlery, dressing up, or even balancing.
Encourages parent/child bonding
What’s better than bonding over arts and crafts with your kids? It’s even more exciting when you do it together. Not only does it foster the love for arts, but it also gives your kid a chance to create lifelong memories with you. What’s more, from coloring to sketching, crafting origami, to painting on a canvas, the options are endless. Besides, it keeps your child away from unhealthy screen-time.
Instill creativity
An artist always thinks out of the box. Since arts and crafts involve using colors, paints, scissors, papers, play doughs and various materials, it brings out a child’s creative self. It lets them express their innate thoughts and concepts on paper or whatever they are creating. They will learn to become independent, achieve goals with less guidance and generate unconventional ideas. Parents should encourage imaginative ideas as it enhances their problem-solving skills. So let him sprinkle some more glitter, smear his shirt with color pastels, let him draw that imperfect circle. Arts is just about creating, not making things “perfectly.”
You may be nurturing a future graphic designer, a famous painter or an art director in the making, who knows?
Gain knowledge through experience
Though many people link knowledge with education, indulging in extracurricular activities like arts and crafts teaches a lot to young minds. They learn about colors, shapes, textures and how things fit together. Studies show that kids who engage in creative activities early on in life have better cognitive skills, brain development, and a great memory.
Bottom line
Art plays a pivotal role in self-expression. Not only does it enhance development of the right side of the brain, it teaches young minds to be unique. Besides, it is a skill that should be nurtured.
