Children today are increasingly turning to the internet and handheld mobile devices for educational development and entertainment, with Australian children among the youngest and most prolific users in the world[1]. A recent study has shown that Australian children use up to three internet-enabled devices[2], while another study found the amount of time children are spending on these devices is more than tripling[3]. As a parent, it may be difficult to penetrate through the allure of the internet to suggest alternate activities, but the importance of doing so has never been more prevalent.
The benefits of art and craft are often overlooked, however new research shows that it has a significant impact on a child’s social, cognitive and emotional development. Studies indicate that time spent thinking creatively can directly impact and have a positive effect on children’s performance in subjects at school. In addition to keeping children highly entertained, this time enhances bonding between a child and their sibling, parent or carer.
5 key educational benefits of art and craft for 5 – 12 year olds:
Fine motor skills
The development of a child’s fine motor coordination directly affects their ability to complete everyday tasks such as eating, dressing and tying up shoe laces[4].
Doing craft activities that include constructing and painting objects can also help kids with their bilateral coordination (using both hands together)[5].
Creativity
Art and craft challenges children to explore their creative potential and encourages them to be imaginative and experimental. As the children make these conscious decisions, they are also strengthening their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills which are essential skills that carry over into other parts of life[6].
Arts and crafts that call for painting and decorating items will give your kids the opportunity to genuinely explore their imagination by embellishing the items with elements that they personally believe are visually appealing.
Interpersonal skills and bonding
Group learning projects facilitate children’s well-rounded development as they are encouraged to embrace diversity and individual differences as they learn to relate to their peers. For families, art and craft allows for quality time spent together. In a recent survey, 95% of mums believed that the bonding time was one of the most important benefits of arts and crafts[7].
Activities that are encouraged to be constructed and then played in a small group create a supportive environment for kids to develop their interpersonal skills by working in a team.
Sensory processing
Sensory processing is the registration and interpretation of sensory elements from one’s environment (including their own body)[8].By developing a child’s sensory processing they will be able to understand and sense their body's movement in relation to their own surroundings which leads to further success in gross motor activities[9].
When children participate in activities that involve instruments and items that produce sound it helps to develop their sensory processing through the creation of music and sounds while incorporating movement.
Improved academic performance
Studies have shown there is a direct correlation between art and crafts and success in other academic endeavours[10].Young children participating in arts and cultural activities can also better process their cognitive, physical, emotional, spiritual and linguistic development through a well-rounded curriculum[11].
Playing with arts and craft items that include plants and animals, such as Australian native flora and fauna, enables children to discover and learn about Australia’s history in a fun and engaging way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CleverPatch™ has recently teamed up with Club Kidpreneur(CK) to encourage entrepreneurial spirit through creativity in primary-aged children. A not-for-profit social enterprise, CK cultivates entrepreneurial skills by teaching kids to develop and launch their own ‘micro-enterprises’, through using and transforming CleverPatch™ products.
Ainslie Turner, CEO of CleverPatch™says, “This is a fantastic partnership that we’ve embarked on as the importance of learning with craft is often underestimated. We also think it’s important for people to be more aware of the numerous benefits related to creative activities.”
For more information visit www.cleverpatch.com.au
REFERENCES
[1]http://www.cci.edu.au/about/
[3]http://www.babble.com/tech/
[4]http://nspt4kids.com/
[5]http://nspt4kids.com/
[6]http://www.pbs.org/parents/
[7]http://www.parenting.com/
[8]http://www.childdevelopment.
[9] http://www.childdevelopment.
[10]http://www.pbs.org/parents/
[11]http://earlyarts.co.uk/
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