The importance of art and crafts for child development | 3 min read

Children love to do arts and crafts and there are many benefits that go beyond simply having your child express themselves in a more creative way. It also assist in developing various skills.

Benefits of arts and crafts

Improve coordination and fine motor skills

In order to draw shapes, cut patterns, and write, your child is required to use their fine motor coordination, as they use those small muscles in their hands. This can help them develop faster and become more skilled in other daily activities such as tying their shoes, dressing, using kitchenware, etc.

Visual processing abilities

When you help your toddler craft a project while reinforcing the names and identification of primary colours and objects, you boost your child’s visual processing capabilities. Visual processing helps your child to notice patterns, colours and physical improbabilities without thinking twice.

Skyrocket self-esteem

One of the most important stages of child development is when toddlers learn to feel good about themselves. Art and craft activities give kids a sense of achievement and allow them to take pride in their work. It creates positive emotional responses to learning which builds confidence. It also fosters mental growth in children by providing opportunities for trying out new ideas, new ways of thinking and problem-solving.

Teach them self-expression

Arts and crafts are a great way for children to express themselves, as they tend to be very visual about the things that happen around them and in their heads. For children who are shy and reserved, parents might get a better insight into how their child is feeling or what they are thinking by encouraging them to participate in arts and crafts activities.

Encourage creativity

A child’s imagination has no limits, and arts and crafts are a great way to encourage your children to be creative and innovative.

Inspire to think critically

Art comes with endless possibilities and choices—will their house have a red roof or black? Will they draw a dog or a cat? How will they draw the clouds and the birds? All these choices inspire children to think critically, decide, and evaluate their own decisions so they can repeat them or change them the next time. This way, they will become more comfortable with thinking about different possibilities and more confident about making their choices.

It helps them to socialise

When it comes to creativity, the only thing that matters is what you can make. And since children are naturally curious, they will gladly approach another child if they like what that kid has drawn, built with Lego blocks, or coloured.

Parent bonding

By doing arts and crafts with your children, you get to spend quality time bonding with them and at the same time, you are creating lifelong memories to cherish. While you are crafting together, you get to talk about what you are making and discuss different ideas and subject matters. You can talk about what you think, feel and care about.

Encourage your children to take part in arts and craft activities, they will enjoy exploring their own imagination.

Sources consulted

Subscribe to our newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and articles, competition announcements, and webinar dates.

Subscription successful.

Share this article
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on reddit
Share on linkedin

More on Children's Health