Arts and crafts are really important for children from a very young age (even a one year old can enjoy finger painting) and it remains important long after they can read and write.
On a deep level, art is a form of communication, it is another way of expressing ourselves and our emotions and it can help with processing feelings and experiences.
And perhaps less deep, but equally important, art and craft sessions allow children to gain self confidence, belief in their abilities and to learn through play.
This section contains:
- Local preschool craft classes
- Local craft classes for school age children
- Local craft classes for parents
- Quick ideas for things to make with preschool children - tried and tested by members
- Craft days - projects for children
- Print offs - colour in sheets and activities
- Chat about arts and crafts with other parents
Some of the valuable skills your child learns through art and crafts...
- The confidence to cope with a blank piece of paper and fill it with something good (a great skill when faced with an English essay in years to come!).
- The confidence to make mistakes and move on: 'that didn't work out, I'll start again'.
- Finding solutions to problems - 'It doesn't look like a dog but if I give it big teeth and horns I can turn it into a monster'.
- A way of explaining to themselves their place in the world, their relationship with their surroundings and the things that happen to them: 'This is me, this is my Mummy, this is my Daddy and this is my rabbit in heaven'.
- Attention to detail: the beauty of nature and of colours, shades and textures
how many different greens are there in your garden?
For more inspiration and ideas, read these two marvellous books "I'mBored" and "I'm Bored Again" written by mums Suzy Barratt and Polly Beard. Find them on Amazon.
Full of ideas for games and activities for rainy days, car journeys, days in the garden, days at the beach...every home should have a copy! And Polly and Suzy, being Netmums themselves, have kindly contributed some great ideas to the Netmums arts and crafts section.