Let them create!

Here’s why making time for arts-n-crafts is essential to your child’s development: 

Imagine your little one at school.  The assignment requires cutting and gluing as a prerequisite skill.  You don’t want your baby sitting there pouring out the glue bottle or in a teary melt down because he can’t cut!  So grown-up, get over it.  Give your child the tools and practice (s)he needs to be a confident little person.  You may even find that you have a budding artist on your hands.  

CRAFT SUPPLIES + SPACE: 

Designate a space for crafting supplies. Crayons, glue, paint, construction paper, and play-dough are the bare necessities. A trip to the dollar store with a hot $20 and your craft stash will be well stocked.  I suggest Pom poms, google eyes, pipe cleaners, foam cut outs, rhinestones, cotton balls, you get the idea. Plus get the plastic bins to store all the things. If you have the space, make a craft cabinet, closet, bin, or cart. You need one home for all the craft materials. You will also need to determine where the child will craft. Where can the children make a little mess? What floors and surfaces are easiest to clean? Personally, I prefer the kitchen. I can see what’s going on and can wipe or vacuum up messes without much of a hassle. 

START YOUNG + BASIC:

Coloring with crayons. Painting with watercolors, playing with play dough. I started the girl at 1. Monitored and teaching her along the way how to properly use each item. Aka- not to eat them! I was right there, pulled up to her high chair super close in the beginning. As her confidence and ability grew, I was able to back off and just let her do her thing. Now that she is five, she can hold her own.  Her fine motor skills are fully developed. I can trust her to craft with pretty much any medium.  Yes she still makes messes.  But she also knows how to clean up.  Don’t leave the clean-up out of your 

ALLOW FOR INDEPENDENCE: 

Put out a few items and let them go. Yes, that includes scissors and glue!  A glue bottle or a glue stick.  Live on the wild side alternate! You can hoard off the glitter… for now. 

Get over your parental boundaries and let them be free to learn and make a little mess.

The messes will get smaller as they get better. Their confidence and creativity will soar. Their problem solving skills will increase. Let them create; You’ll be glad you did. I promise.

What are your thoughts on letting children create?  How do you encourage a child’s creativity?

If you don’t already have a space dedicated to crafting, you may want to check this post out!  How to create a craft cabinet with a hot $20