The Learning Bug: What Key Skills Do Mini Makers Develop Through Crafting?
From our first mumbled word, wobbly step to the joy of tying our own shoelaces - learning is an incredible journey. The wonderful thing about life is lessons are everywhere. Learning does not always require classrooms, huge textbooks or hours on a screen. Kids learn best through play. Craft kits provide a fun, interactive and easy way to get little ones thinking and developing key skills right in the comfort of your home. New to crafting and wondering how it can help your child learn, grow and play? Grab a cuppa and have a read. These are a few of the magic, mess-free skills that can be developed one craft kit at a time.
What Is Crafting?
Crafting can cover a wide range of activities from painting, drawing to colouring. It does not have to be messy or hard work. While you can go and get various paper, pens and paints for ad-hoc play - there is a craftier way to give it a go. Developed by busy parents, a Mini Maker craft kit does it all for you. Each themed craft kit contains everything your little one needs to create their own world. From space, bugs to the jungle they will have specific activity sheets to discover new worlds and all they need to play, learn and get crafting.
Why Is Crafting An Important Part Of Learning For Children?
While books, screens and classrooms have their place, every child benefits from a different style of learning. Learning through play is proven to be the best way for children under 7 to learn. Crafting at home allows children to fully express themselves in an environment they are familiar with. This taps into a different level and type of learning. From putting together a space ship, crafting a monkey to cutting out a lady bird - they are discovering new worlds and developing key skills textbooks do not reach. Creativity and playing go hand in hand, crafting allows them to tap into the magic of imagination.
What Skills Does Crafting Develop In Children?
From choosing their own colours, planning, to using glue for the first time, there are many valuable key skills developed through crafting. Such as…
The Art Of Self-Expression
Learning to express ourselves is a life long journey (and even some of us grown-up’s are not always great at it). It can begin with something as simple as choosing colours. Craft kits invite little learners to explore what colours they like and make creative choices that can build lasting confidence. Try asking them why they chose the colour they did next time, you’ll be amazed by what they tell you.
Understanding Our World
My Mini Maker craft kits focus on a different theme every month that explores the world around us. Most recently we set sail to the jungle learning how monkeys swing, snakes slither and chameleons change colour.We even finished with some cheeky lessons from Mr Monkey. This month we’re aligning with a common Reception science and nature topic; Mini Beasts. Crafting invites children to discover new worlds all while creating their own. They could be learning how bumble bees buzz, crickets chirp or discovering the magic of kindness all while having fun.
Trying Again & Patience
Anyone that’s ever tried to glue together a swinging monkey knows it can take a bit of trial and error. Sometimes little crafters will have to try again and think of a different way of approaching an activity. This can develop patience, the art of trial and error and accepting that it doesn’t always have to be perfect. The important thing is they keep trying and learning on the way.
Mastering Fine Motor Skills
Crafting covers activities that can develop practical fine motor skills. These are super-duper important for everyday things like holding a pencil, writing and even getting dressed. For example, having fun with playdough strengthens little hand and finger muscles, while using scissors enhances hand-eye co-ordination. From piecing things together, creating a new animal to cutting up shapes they are developing precision and pincer grasp without even realising. It’s true what they say, kids learn best through play and while they do - why not put your feet up and grab a cuppa? (It’s only fair you get to have some grown-up fun).
Tidying Up
Grown-Ups, rejoice! Another unexpected benefit of crafting is that little ones can learn the importance of tidying up. As they take ownership and pride over their workspace and completed crafts they start to understand how keeping things tidy helps them work and can actually be kind of fun.
Disclaimer - it may take a while before they feel the same about washing up. Although Iona has started considering it a treat to wash up after baking - miracles can happen.
How Can You Try Crafting At Home?
We are delighted you asked… Trying a My Mini Maker craft kit is an ideal way to give crafting a go in the comfort of home. Choose between activity kits, project kits and different themes depending on what piques your little learners age and interests. Ordering is simple. Choose a kit, sit back and enjoy free delivery straight to the door. When your kit arrives, you have everything you need in one box. Simply open and enjoy mess-free, mighty fun while making magic memories.
Ready To Set Sail To With The Mighty Beasts?
Tap here to start your (mess-free) adventure or take a peek at our plans.
Explore The Journey From Order To Wonder
The Big Day
The postman’s been… And their craft kit is waiting. Clear the kitchen table, it’s time for your Mini Maker to learn, play and explore a whole new world.
As for you? Put the kettle on, and enjoy some grown up - fun while they get creative.
Press Play: Screen-Free Wonder Begins
Inside your craft kit will be a set of activities for Mini Makers to get stuck into. From putting together animals, experiencing sensory play to exploring colours. What will they create? Enjoy that cuppa and watch them get lost in imagination.
Discover What They Made
It’s time to discover what they’ve made. A rare chance to peek inside those little heads and find out what they learned. Watch out for your ‘snuggle & cuppa time’ questions to get them thinking, enjoying a moment of calm connection and reflection.
Operation: “How Quickly Can We Clean- Up?”
After all the fun, our craft kits can be cleared up in less than two minutes. Why not get your Mini Maker involved with a special promise - “you can do it all again next month if you help”
Our craft kits can be delivered every month for more memories, learning and screen-free fun.
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