Kids love doing a variety of arts and crafts as an outlet to be creative and have some fun! Little do they know that it is so good for their development as well!

5 Benefits of Arts and Crafts:

1. Bateral Coordination– Crafts such as coloring, drawing, cutting, all require your child to use both of their hands together. This skill is important in other areas of their lives as they continue to grow, such as writing, tying shoes, typing and so much more!

2. Fine Motor Coordination– In order to draw shapes, cut patterns, and hand writing, your child is required to use their fine motor coordination. These skills similarly translate to other areas of their lives, such as dressing ,eating, and in the academic setting.

3. Self Regulation– Crafts that require drying require waiting! This is a great lesson for you child to demonstrate self control and patience. Also, as always things might not go exactly as we hoped! Crafts are a great way to promote flexibility in your child. There is no right or wrong way in exploring one’s own creativity!

4. Self-esteem booster– Although we want to challenge our kids, it is also important to initially choose arts and crafts that are at your child’s skill level. Completing the crafts successfully will give them a great sense of accomplishment and pride. As you and your child begin to explore more crafts, you can add in more and more challenges

5. Bonding and fun-Your kids will love spending time with you and creating something together!

Great craft ideas to do with your kids:

Snow Flakes

· Start with tracing a circle on your favorite color construction paper

· Cut out the circle

· Fold the circle in half 3 times

· Draw shapes from the edges with a pencil

· Use scissors to cut along the designs

· Carefully open your circle

Cotton Ball Snowman

· Use glue to make three circles, for the outline of your snow man. Fill in    each circle with glue completely

· Stick cotton balls in the glue circles to form your snowman

· You can make this more of a challenge by using chopsticks, small            tongs, or tweezers to pick up and place the cotton balls

· Be creative and give your snow man a face and accessories (gloves,        hat, etc.)

· Colored glue

· Googly eyes

· Pipe cleaner

· Felt

Cards for friends and family

· Fold a piece of construction paper in half and decorate. That’s it! The        rest is up to you and your child’s creativity

· Tips and Ideas:

· Write your message in pencil and have your child trace

· Attach a picture of your child

· Use holiday inspired stencils and have your child trace onto the card

· Use a variety of materials; markers, paint, colored glue, glitter, beads,      scrap paper, magazines, buttons, and much much more!

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