Preschoolers like to be spontaneous, so it’s good to follow your child’s lead with creative activities. The key is for your child to explore their own creative interests and express themselves, so see what your child wants to do before you suggest something.
Sometimes your child might need extra help or encouragement. Or your child might want you to join in the fun! By being actively involved, you can develop your child’s skills and understanding. Being creative and playing with your child is also good for your relationship.
When you’re doing a creative activity with your child, it’s good to show your child that there’s more than one way to do something. For example, you can ask questions like, ‘How many ways can you draw a person?’ or ‘Show me how many sounds you can make with the drum’. This encourages your child to enjoy being creative rather than trying to do something ‘right’ or make something perfect.
While arts and crafts may seem like a fun past time for your child, it can go beyond just that. Making arts and crafts is a great way for them to learn and develop various skills while having fun. This is why we ensure that as a Childcare center at Rising Stride we have activities dedicated for our students to have fun while doing arts and crafts. Here are some skills they develop while taking part in this activity:
You can also ask your child questions about their thinking and problem-solving processes. For example, ‘Tell me about what’s happening in your picture’ or ‘How did you attach the feather to the cardboard?’
- Fine motor skills
They learn how to grasp things better as they make use of a pair of scissors, hold a paintbrush, or hold a pencil. - Vocabulary
They learn the names of different shapes, colors, and materials without seeming like a chore or a memorization task. - Creativity
They get to expand their imagination as they try to get creative in their projects. - Basic math concepts
Other than recognizing different shapes, they also learn how to count and sort their art supplies. They grasp the measurement of lengths and sizes of art materials.
Sensory Art Activities for Kids Ages 1-5 Years Old
Sensory play can be any activity that engages a child’s senses – smell, taste, touch, sound, or sight. When you incorporate sensory play with art activities, kids come into contact with new textures, smells, sounds, and situations without any preconceived notions or expectations. This allows them to naturally develop positive connections to materials as well as new sensory information.
Creative Learning Programs for Kids at Rising Stride Child Care Centers
Arts and crafts encourage children to be creative and use their imagination while also providing a fun and interactive way for them to naturally develop essential life skills. Whether they’re exploring art through sensory play or learning how electricity works with DIY craft projects, the benefits of creative activities are endless.
At Rising Stride, we believe in the power of play-based learning and we are dedicated to providing opportunities for children to explore, discover, and create. We invite you to celebrate the magic of art and imagination! We host a variety of creative learning programs to inspire and engage children of all ages from ages 0-5!