The most important gift we as adults can give young children everyday is the gift of independence. Facilitating independence and hand skill development during the holiday season is easy with multiple opportunities for craft-making, cooking, decorating, and gift-giving! First in our holiday season E-Newsletter series is a focus on crafts as a meaningful way for children to develop competence in the skills needed for their academic achievement and building independence in life!

Crafts, Crafts, Crafts!

 

Paper Chains

The timeless craft of making paper chain decorations for tabletops or archways is a favorite of young children. Paper chains allow for repeated practice of cutting links (as appropriate), working with color patterns (2-4 fall or holiday colors), sequencing, and connecting links together using glue bottles or glue sticks. While stapling is easier and faster for an adult, children learn much more by experiencing working with glue on their own. Using glue involves eye-hand coordination, regard for hand pressure, and learning when enough is enough, which is a process. Watching the chain "grow" reinforces feelings of independence and success in young children along with visual perception and hand skills, of course!

 

Leaf Rubbings

Another fun, classic craft is making leaf rubbings. Start by exploring your outdoor environment for wonderful fall leaves. Gather fallen leaves with the children and compare them for similarities and differences (critical thinking). Next, tape the leaves to a vertical surface (i.e. a wall, refrigerator, window, easel, Incrediwalls, etc...) and cover the leaves with butcher paper. The vertical surface promotes stability of the shoulder and supports proper positioning for holding a pencil. Use nubs and stubs of crayons or our new Crayon Rocks to rub color over the covered leaves, which will reveal an impression of the leaves on the paper. Display the artwork prominently for all to see! This craft provides an amazing "aha" experience for young children as they see how their efforts bring the leaves to life on the paper!
 
Encourage children to do as much as they can on all craft projects so they develop their hand and cognitive skills . Remember - we already have our hand skills in place. Our important role is to develop the skills of the children through the craft-making process, not to complete the craft for them to achieve a perfect product! Children derive pride in their performance when they complete crafts independently and receive positive reinforcement for a job well-done.

 

Happy Crafting...Write Out of the Box!

Marianne