I loved crafts as a child. The excitement of shiny ribbon, a brand new package of markers and searching through my mother’s fabric scraps represented endless creative possibilities.
Before the days, of Pinterest I would scour the library for any new craft book. I used these craft ideas as inspiration for my own creative creations.
I remember building a zoo out of cardboard with my sister and creating colorful friendship bracelets for my best friends.
I remember being so proud to share my own creative crafts with the people I loved.
And, I still do.
Craft – “an activity involving skill in making things by hand”. -Google
Creative- “relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work”. -Google
Creative + Craft= Making things by hand involving the imagination or original ideas.
But I call it “creatively crafting”.
When Lil B was in Preschool, on the same day he brought home two different crafts. One of the crafts, he was so excited to share as he was ripping apart his backpack to take it out and share with me.
The other craft….he left in his folder. I didn’t see it until I went through and opened his folder myself.
Here is the craft he was super excited to share with me.
Now, why do you think he was excited to share his turkey with me?
Lil B felt a sense of ownership over the craft because he got to make choices during the creative process. The entire class made turkeys and I bet each turkey looked different.
Have you ever walked into a classroom and seen 20 of the exact same paper craft…except for that one kid that didn’t listen to directions so his turkey has 3 eyes?
This type of adult-directed craft only requires listening and following directions, not creative thinking or problem solving. Your child may even be scolded for adding in any creativity (like the child that chose to use 3 eyes).
When you are planning a craft activity for your child consider the two questions below.
- Does this craft connect to my child’s interests?
- Does this craft allow for my child to make choices during the creative process?
Crafts serve many different purposes. The purpose might be to make a handmade gift like our recycled art magnets or it might be exploring with open-ended craft supplies.
Regardless of the end product, to engage your child in the craft activity you must connect the craft to your child’s interest rather than your interest.
I have nothing against Pinterest (I love it myself) but are you planning the craft because you like it or you because you think your child will like it?
How to Creatively Craft
Once you have selected a craft that relates to your child, brainstorm ways your child can make choices during the creative process of the craft.
Can your child pick the colors? Pick the materials?
Draw the shapes instead of using pre-cut shapes?
It doesn’t take a lot of extra time or materials to encourage your child’s creativity while crafting.
Allowing your child to make choices during the creative process helps foster your child’s creative thinking and problem-solving skills. It also helps boost your child’s self-confidence.
I remember back to the handmade gifts I would make as a child and how proud I was to give them to the people I loved.
Give your child the opportunity to be proud of their own creative craft.
If you want to learn more about creatively crafting with kids, I suggest viewing my live lesson Process Art vs. Product Art. You may also enjoy reading Why My Child’s Artwork is a Pinterest Fail.
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