As an adult, many people tend to think that so-called craft activities are the reserve of creative children. You may, without already knowing it, have decided that this type of activity is not for your little one.
However, the great thing about crafts is that you don’t have to be good to enjoy them; they just provide an opportunity for children to create something from scratch. Something which they can later call their own.
Nothing quite beats that feeling of pride when you have made something yourself, and it is a feeling no less intense in youngsters.
That’s why it’s a great idea to have a go at making a model with your child. You may well be surprised by just how much fun you – and they – have putting it together.
You should resists the temptation to be out off by activities which you know are going to take some time. When it’s raining outside and you are struggling to think up something which may kill a few hours you will probably be grateful you invested in a craft kit.
If you get them to create a 3D model then it will be something they can keep forever, or at least as long as they want.
Making something that will last is worth it. It also provides a great opportunity for you to sit with your little one and enjoy some quality one-to-one time. The thing you make together will then serve as a lovely memory of those hours spent with each other.
Because we are often caught up with work and chores around the house, finding the time to sit with your son or daughter can be difficult. If you make the effort to invest in a craft kit, there is then an incentive to make that time available.
This will help to make your relationship with your little one stronger and may even spark a lifelong interest in creative pursuits.
Because you will need to interact with one another and talk about the steps required to make the model, it could well also help to develop your child’s social skills.
Writing in an article for Bigthink.com, former editor-in-chief of Nature Neruoscience Sandra Aamodt quoted analysis of multiple studies which involved more than 270,000 students. It revealed that those who were involved with programmes which were aimed at improving both emotional and social skills did better academically.
Djeco has a wide range of craft kits, from origami aeroplanes, to mosaic sticker pictures and stitching cards. They all offer an opportunity for you to get involved and create something special together. Take a closer look here.
The skills involved in making these kits will also help to develop both gross and fine motor skills which are essential for later in life.
If you have younger children and you are concerned some of these activities may be too complex for them, then there are also craft kits for younger kids.
The Djeco pop-up collages are ideal for three to six year olds as they allow little ones to add pieces to existing pre-printed templates to them bring them to life.
Like anything that’s worthwhile, it will probably take some time, but it will no doubt be well worth it in the end.