BRING BACK OLD-SCHOOL CRAFT ACTIVITIES
The Power of Old School Craft Activities in Paediatric OT
In the world of pediatric occupational therapy, old-school craft activities hold a special place. These timeless activities not only provide hours of fun but also offer a wealth of developmental benefits for children. From enhancing fine motor skills to fostering creativity and emotional regulation, craft activities play a crucial role in supporting children's growth and development. In this blog post, I'll explore the advantages of old-school craft activities in pediatric OT and provide some exciting ideas to get you started.
Advantages of Old School Craft Activities:
Fine Motor Skill Development:
Craft activities such as cutting, colouring, and pasting require precise hand movements, helping children develop and refine their fine motor skills. These activities strengthen hand muscles and are foundational to improving hand-eye coordination, essential for tasks like writing, dressing, and feeding
Sensory Exploration:
Crafting provides opportunities for sensory exploration as children engage with different textures, materials, and sensory experiences. From feeling the smoothness of paper to the stickiness of glue, children develop sensory processing skills and learn how to regulate their responses to various stimuli.
Creativity and Problem-Solving:
Craft activities encourage creativity and imagination as children design and execute their projects. They learn to make decisions, solve problems, and think critically as they choose colours, shapes, and materials. Crafting fosters innovation, allowing children to express themselves in unique and meaningful ways.
Executive Function:
Engaging in craft activities promotes cognitive skills such as planning, organisation, and spatial awareness. Children learn to follow instructions, sequence steps, and understand cause-and-effect relationships as they work on problem-solving in their projects. Crafting also stimulates memory, attention, and visual processing skills.
Emotional Regulation and Self-Expression:
Crafting provides a safe and non-verbal outlet for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It promotes self-expression, self-esteem, and self-confidence as children take pride in their creations. Crafting can also be calming and therapeutic, helping children regulate their emotions and manage stress.
So what are you waiting for?
Get out the scissors, paper and glue and start creating with your kids.
You can set a theme, or use a particular medium, or do a scavenger hunt to see what you can include.
Remember there is no right or wrong way to do it and the end result does not have to look perfect, or like you would like it to be. Its just creative crafting as it should be.
It doesn’t matter - the “sky is the limit” - just enjoy crafting with your kids.