{"id":983,"date":"2014-10-19T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2014-10-19T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/craftykidsathome.com\/index.php\/2014\/10\/19\/top-tips-for-successful-arts-and-crafts-2\/"},"modified":"2018-05-17T09:06:39","modified_gmt":"2018-05-17T08:06:39","slug":"top-tips-for-successful-arts-and-crafts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craftykidsathome.com\/top-tips-for-successful-arts-and-crafts\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Tips for a successful arts and crafts session with children under 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sitting down to do arts and crafts with your children is not without its challenges and things won\u2019t always go to plan. But there are steps you can take to help ensure your children get the best out of the activity you have planned for them.
\nThe most important thing I have learned since embarking on almost daily activities with my own kids is that preparation ahead of sitting down to do the activity is key, as well as managing your own expectations for the outcome of the activity. Your kids will not create \u201ca masterpiece\u201d every time and sometimes they will prefer to take things in their own direction and ignore all of your instructions, but then that\u2019s surely that\u2019s half the fun!<\/p>\n

I put a shout at recently to my blogger friends over at the \u201cKid Blogger Network\u201d to ask them what their top tips would be for a successful arts and crafts session with children under 6 years of age and here is a list of they came up with:<\/p>\n

\u201cPREP your craft session. Cut bits and pieces ahead of time if needs be. Also make sure you have clutter free, spacious work area, so that you are not distracted and people can concentrate,\u201d\u00a0Maggie Woodley from Red Ted Art.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBe flexible and go with the flow if things don\u2019t go as planned,\u201d Betsy Finn, photographer and blogger. Here is an example of this advice in practice over on Besty\u2019s blog\u00a0<\/a>
\n\u201cPut on clothes you do not mind if they get messy\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Jamie from Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cKeep it simple and be fully organised before starting- ie have all materials and equipment ready as these can act as a stimulus as well as reduce stress and chaos!!!!!\u201d, \u00a0Ciara from Our Little House in the Country.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHave wet disposable cloths handy\u201d, says Kate from Laughing Kids Learn.<\/a>
\n\u201cBe prepared ahead of time and have a plan for clean-up afterwards.\u201d Sharla Kostelyk, blogger. Here is a useful post from Sharla<\/a> full of tips on how to cleanup after playing with a sensory bin.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor young children who are a bit reluctant about art, consider taking art outside and keep the process open and creative\u201d Jennifer Fischer\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPrep for the clean up portion when you prepare the activity, That way you have a plan in place when everything and everyone is covered in paint or glitter\u201d Erin Bhur, Bambini Travel<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cTape paper to the surface before painting \u2013 it prevents it slipping or being knocked to the floor,\u201d George Bonner, Craftulate<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPrepare well in advance and it is better to prepare whilst the kids aren\u2019t around and make the activity easy for them to understand. I find that they enjoy the project more if you just have three steps \u2013 Step 1: cut it up. Step 2: Decorate. Step 3: Stick it up, \u201c Ayesha Siddiqua, Words and Needles<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cChoose your time and space wisely. Make sure everyone is fresh, relaxed and happy (parent included) and set up for creative fun in an area where you won\u2019t be too stressed about the kids getting messy \u2013 don\u2019t be afraid to take it outdoors if that works best,\u201d Christie Burnett, Childhood 101<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPreparing the session is key, but more than that is trying not to let your expectation take over their craft of the outcome. For under 6\u2019s just doing is really important if not more important than how the end product\u00a0looks,\u201d says Jen Walshaw. Here is a great article from Jen which discusses further the benefits of \u201cWhy art process is important for kids\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf painting limit the color choices to 2-3 colours for beginning artists. This gives them the opportunity to feel successful and explore how to create and mix new colours,\u201d says Jamie Hand. Check out this article from Jamie for more tips on painting with young artists.<\/a><\/p>\n

Can you think of any tips to add to this list to help others out?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sitting down to do arts and crafts with your children is not without its challenges and things won\u2019t always go to plan. But there are steps you can take to help ensure your children get the best out of the activity you have planned for them. 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