A Note to Mom and Dad
Crafts are not just for having fun! Children can be taught so many things if you put just a little planning into the project. Children have fun and develop many skills. Here is a few ideas of how to and expected results.
I like to prepare everything in advance. I either gather up all the equipment or make a list and have the child assemble the equipment. (We have a set plastic serving trays I picked up at the store. It keeps beads, crayons and small things from getting away and you don't have to worry about your tabletop or floor.)
Learning to follow instructions: You can do this two ways. You can write out the instructions for practice interpreting written instructions. For younger children use verbal instructions. For verbal instructions decide weather you will use one, two, or three step instructions, depending on your child's skill level.
Motor Skills and Eye Hand Coordination: You may not know this but the development of motor skills is directly linked to children's ability to read. Doing puzzles, matching following a line all are reading related. Children put letters together to make words, follow a line for reading. Cutting, pasting, beading, all help a child learn to write.
Categorizing Sorting: You can sort by size, color or patterns sequences.
Language Development: Use correct language to describe what your doing. Use correct names. Develope listening skills. Have your child repeat back what you said and have them make a complete sentence about what you are doing, use describing words. How many, color, size, texture ext.
Self-esteem: This gives your child skills for life. Start a project, finish the project, feel good about your accomplishment and show someone what you made. Get feed back and tell them how you did it.
Quality Time: Positive interaction using a planned project, together accomplishing something.