Let me be the first to let you know that I am not the art/craft type. I can’t draw rabbits (well not ones that anyone would recognize as actually being a rabbit). I lose patience with sewing – after spending an hour trying to get the needle threaded with my frayed piece of cotton. I am more successful at sticking my fingers together with glue than I am at sticking mosaics onto a terracotta pot. But I have to admit Im really enjoying doing art and craft activities with my daughter. I’ve had just as much fun as her making collages, drawing with crayons and whipping up a batch of playdough (yes, I’ve actually made my own!)
This led me to wonder why I’m enjoying doing these activities when I hated art at school, when I failed textiles miserably and when no one would eat my lovingly made scones. I dropped any artistic endeavors at the first opportunity. Even my own family laughed at my drawing of a koala did it really matter that the eyes were sketched inside the koala’s ears? Well, yes, I guess in retrospect it did look a little weird. But I could never get perspective sorted out. What I pictured in my mind came out quite differently on the page.
But here I am, with regular, daily art and craft activities prepared with vigorous enthusiasm. I’m seeing opportunities everywhere: that bark would be great stuck on a page; Glitter on pinecones will be lovely for Christmas; we’ll take those shells home and make necklaces out of them. Who would have thought it? Least of all me. So this is what I came up with.
My reasons why art and craft with a toddler is great:
1. I get in touch with my inner child (the results demonstrate this is true)
2. There is no pressure to perform (if I stuff up who will know?)
3. My daughter actually recognizes what my stick figure animals are
4. I am more advanced than someone else in the room (if only very slightly)
5. I decide what well make and decide what it is when its made
6. It’s great doing something creative just for fun
7. It helps improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination for both me and my child
8. We get to bond over a shared activity and create memories together
9. The end product may not be perfect, but it’s filled with love and effort from both of us
Art and craft activities are not just about pretty pictures or perfect final products. They hold so much more value than that. As a parent, I have come to appreciate the benefits of doing art and craft with my toddler.
One of the main reasons is that it allows me to tap into my inner child. As adults, we often forget how to let go and have fun without any expectations. But when I sit down to do art and craft with my child, I can’t help but get excited about the possibilities and let my imagination run wild. It’s a great stress reliever and helps me reconnect with my playful side.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in work and other responsibilities, leaving little time for bonding with our children. But when we engage in an activity together, such as creating something out of paper or painting on a canvas, we get to connect on a deeper level. We talk, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company while working towards a common goal. It’s a special bonding experience that strengthens our relationship and creates lasting memories.