The Influence of Arts and Crafts on the Development of Language and Problem-Solving Skills

Children develop with or without enriching activities however without them their development is short-changed. Arts and crafts are enriching activities that contribute to several developmental skills which include, among many, cognitive, motor, language, verbal problem-solving, and goal-setting skills. Covered in this article is the positive influence of arts and crafts activities on language and verbal problem-solving skills. Other skills mentioned here will be covered in future articles.

Expanded Vocabulary and Object Recognition

As soon as children are born, language skills begin to development. A baby's babbling turns into single syllable words which become more complex and expand to multiple word sentences. Without verbal interaction with others, language skills would be severely lacking. So what does this have to do with arts and crafts? Interactions between the child, adult and other children involved the art and craft (or any activity) benefit language development. These benefits include expanded vocabulary and object recognition skills, development of verbal problem solving skills, and increased communication skills through discussing and describing while creating their project. To facilitate these benefits, participate in creative activities with your children.

While participate in the activity with your child, continually talk out loud about what you are doing. Name objects as you pick them up. Ask the child to hand you an object, especially if they do not know what it is. In addition, if an item or process is known by different names interchange the use of them. For example, popsicle sticks are also called craft sticks. Other words for gluing are adhering, attaching, binding, connecting and so forth. Mix up your vocabulary and labels.

While conversing with your child, especially with younger children, it is important to keep directions tailored to their age or skill level however do not "dumb" down the conversation or use "baby talk". Speak in a tone you would use with an older child or adult. Add in words and labels the child does not know. Give the meaning of the word only if the child asks otherwise you risk a response such as, "I know what that means. I'm not dumb."

Verbal Problem Solving

Do not do all of the talking. Ask the child to explain what they are doing and why. Have the child teach you how to do something. You could remark that you like how they completed part of their project and ask them show you how to do it. Ask questions as they direct you. If you don't understand, tell them so. This will give them a chance to clarify their directions. If you see the child struggling, ask them to explain what it is they are trying to do. Ask questions such as, "What do think will work?" or "What have you thought about trying?" Jumping in and offering to help will deprive them of the chance to solve their own problem and decrease their frustration tolerance. If the child immediately asks for help, asks the previous questions to guide them towards solving their own problems.

As you work, make comments on decisions or problems you encounter as you work. "I need to get this bead to stick here. I am not sure how to do it. Maybe I will try this." If it doesn't work, continue to talk about what else you will try. Demonstrate what steps to take with a frustrating problem you cannot solve. "Darn. This bead is making me angry. It will not stick here." Can you help me with this, please?" This is a positive demonstration of feeling recognition, problem-solving and helping skills.

Given the opportunity to participate in enriching arts and crafts activities, children can increase their language and problem-solving skills with the right environment. This sets up a situation where you are able to show the child instead of telling the child. The added bonus is that the learning becomes effortless with fun-filled arts and crafts activities.

Children's Crafts - Their Importance & Value For Healthy Development

Children love crafts. They seem to become fixated when they are drawing, painting, cutting, pasting and working through kids crafts and activities. Kids love working with their hands. The sense of joy that children experience during the participation of arts and crafts is an unmistakable give away that something greater is going on with their learning. Why is this?

There is something in the sense of achievement children get when they are working on crafts or craft activities that involves their creativity and stimulates their imagination.

But there is so much more to this picture than a sense of achievement.

The amazing developmental benefits that children can obtain through creative craft ideas make childrens crafts such a crucial part of a child's healthy development.

Below are some of the developmental skills that a child can learn through simple craft activities.

Social Skills: Children receive feedback through observation and the modeling of their parent/ teacher. In addition, interacting with other children also teaches acceptable social skills. Simple crafts for kids can be an amazing way to engage a child through appropriate play and talk.

Fine Motor Skills Development: Crafts assist children with the development of their fine motor skills. Children's crafts and kids activities teach simple skills such as holding pencils and scissors correctly, cutting, pasting and coloring techniques.

Creative and Visual Spatial Development: Creative development is one of the key benefits that crafts and art activities offer. Through the use of creative craft ideas for kids, the choice of materials and simple task related instructions, their imagination and ability to make creative choices can develop. Children create an image of what they want to create in their task. They can transfer this image through the use of their hands and the materials into their craft work. When developed appropriately, this important skill can assist children with skills such as visualizing details, the recall of information through mental imagery, creation of living pictures and visualizing of goals. Good kids craft and activities resources with easy to implement craft ideas are an important aspect for this learning.

Linguistic Development: Another benefit crafts for kids offer is the development of a wider range of vocabulary. Through discussing the creation and work required to complete crafts, the parent can create dialogue which both increases vocabulary and creates meaning and understanding. When completing any craft activitiy, children are given further learning opportunities through observing their parent/ teacher's expressions of verbal problem solving and positive reinforcement. When choosing craft ideas for kids, childrens crafts and activities, ensure that you have quality resources which enable discussion.

In addition to the above developmental benefits, easy craft ideas for kids can also assist with the development of:

Concentration and the completion of tasks: Children's crafts assist with the development of the ability to concentrate and avoid distractions. Through the focus that is required to work through craft activities, children learn to focus on one task at a time. They learn that through focus they are able to successfully complete a task.

Skills in planning: Arts and crafts for kids assist with the development of both visual and verbal planning skills. Visual spatial skill development assists children to create plans in their mind's eye of what they want to achieve through their craft project.

Persistence and Seeing Tasks Through to Completion: Children learn the skill of persistence when completing any activity or craft project. Choosing from one of many craft ideas and seeing the task through to completion regardless of set backs is an important skill for children to learn. If developed early in life, this can assist a child with school work, project development and goal setting.

Success and Self Worth: The participation and completion crafts assist with one of the most important aspects of healthy growth and development: the experience of self worth through success. Through skills discussed earlier such as concentration, persistence, planning, creative development and visual spatial development, children learn what is required to complete a task and to create their vision through the use of their hands. Praise and feedback are important factors here when they are attempting activity or kids craft project. Assisting children if they are struggling with an aspect or completion of a task can be important. Giving praise throughout the process and at the completion of the task helps the child to learn a sense of accomplishment associated with the development and completion of projects.

Creative craft ideas for kids are so valuable for healthy development. The best part of all is that assisting children with arts and craft activities can be so simple. With creative and easy craft ideas for kids, simple materials and a sense of fun, you too can have a great time! Whether you are a parent, teacher, grandparent or nanny, kids crafts and children's activities are a fantastic way to connect with children and watch them grow and develop.