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How important really are arts and crafts in the early years?

Updated: Jul 22, 2023


If you have read any of our blogs before or interacted with us via our social media channels, you will know that we feel there isn’t much in life that can’t be taught through the love of arts and crafts!

That’s why we have written this blog, to share with you just why arts and crafts in the early years are so much more important than a mark making table in the corner of a room that rarely gets used!


The statutory framework of the EYFS tells us

“The development of children’s artistic and cultural awareness supports their

imagination and creativity. It is important that children have regular opportunities to

engage with the arts, enabling them to explore and play with a wide range of media

and materials…It is important that children have regular opportunities to

engage with the arts, enabling them to explore and play with a wide range of media

and materials…The frequency, repetition and depth of their experiences are fundamental to their progress in interpreting and appreciating what they hear, respond to and observe.


Craft activities have been an integral part of early childhood education for generations, and with good reason. Engaging in craft projects offers countless benefits for young children's development, encompassing cognitive, emotional, social, and physical aspects. In this blog, we will explore what we feel is the 7 most important reasons that children should engage in craft activities!


1. Enhancing Fine Motor Skills


Craft activities, such as cutting, drawing, and pasting, require precise hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. These seemingly simple actions play a vital role in a child's overall physical development. As they grasp small objects, manipulate materials, and explore textures, they refine their dexterity and gain control over their movements, preparing them for more complex tasks in the future.


2. Boosting Creativity and Imagination


Craft allows children to unleash their creativity and imagination without limitations. It encourages them to think outside the box, experiment with different colors, shapes, and materials, and develop their unique artistic expression. Engaging in  craft projects nurtures their creative thinking, paving the way for innovative problem-solving skills later in life.


3. Developing Cognitive Skills


Craft projects provide an excellent platform for children to explore mathematical concepts, such as patterns, shapes, and measurements. Counting items, sorting colors, and gaining an understanding of spatial awareness. Furthermore, crafts stimulate cognitive growth by encouraging memory retention, attention to detail, and critical thinking.


4. Fostering Emotional Expression


Children often find it challenging to articulate their feelings verbally. Craft activities offer an alternative means of emotional expression. Through art, they can externalize their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This form of non-verbal communication can help build emotional intelligence, allowing children to understand and manage their feelings better.


5. Encouraging Social Interaction


Craft projects often involve collaboration and group activities. Working together on a creative task promotes teamwork, communication, and cooperation. Children learn to share ideas, compromise, and appreciate the contributions of others. These social interactions lay the foundation for healthy relationships and social skills in their later years.


6. Cultivating Patience and Perseverance


Completing a craft project requires patience and perseverance. It teaches children the value of persistence when faced with challenges. As they encounter obstacles and mistakes, they learn that mistakes are a part of the learning process and that they can find solutions through trial and error.


7. Building Self-Esteem and Confidence


Creating something with their own hands and seeing the end result empowers children and boosts their self-esteem. The sense of accomplishment they experience when finishing a craft project reinforces their confidence in their abilities. This newfound confidence extends beyond the craft room, positively influencing their overall attitude towards learning and life.


So, if you like us believe there’s more to craft than just some sticking and glueing you will agree that Craft activities play a pivotal role in a child's early years, providing a holistic approach to learning and development. Through craft, children enhance their fine motor skills, unleash their creativity, develop cognitive abilities, express emotions, and cultivate important social and emotional skills. As the amazing early years professionals that we are , we need to recognise the significance of craft in nurturing the resilience and development of our little people and how it helps set, them on a path to a bright and fulfilling future.

So, with that in mind… let’s encourage and embrace the power of craft in the early years!


Why not follow us on Facebook to get lots of ideas, join in competitions and join our growing community of like minded early years professionals!!




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