Day 22: Arts vs. Crafts

Did you even know that there is a difference between Arts and Crafts?  So many times these two expressions are thrown together and no one thinks about their distinguishable differences.  They both have a place in our children’s lives, but are totally different processes.

Lets start with crafts:

• A craft is a structured activity with a specific end result. 
• Crafts help build skills like cutting, pasting, and following directions
• Usually directed by an adult
• Lots of copying and less  free expression
• Examples of crafts:

Christmas Elf Craft from I “Heart” Crafty Things

Crazy Robots from Plaid Kid’s Crafts

Santa Face Mask from Classified: Mom

Now let’s talk about Art:

• Art is open ended
• Creative, unique, origional
• The artist decides how to create and there is no specific pattern or example to follow
• The process is valued over the finished product
• Art is an expression of emotions and comes from within
• There is no right or wrong way of making art.

Clay Ornaments from No Time for Flash Cards

Masking Tape Letter from Art Projects for Kids

Construction Paper Collage using the Sticky side of Contact Paper

Both arts and crafts are wonderful for children and each have their place in a child’s life.  Crafts are great for enhancing or reinforcing a topic or learning theme like zoo animals, transportation, or Christmas.  Art is wonderful for problem solving, planning/organizing, trial and error, and self-expression.  Art is typically better for self-esteem than crafts because crafts done in groups often require that children compare their similar crafts to others.  Art work is better for self-esteem because they can see the wonderful art they can make without any help or direction.  Plus, there is less comparison as artwork is unique and crafts are not.

Activity #22: Make Some Art

Get out your art supplies like paper, makers, crayons, glue, paint, cotton balls, pipe cleaners, or clay.  Set them all out and let your children freely create some artwork!  Developmentally, little ones (under 3) will probably do better with just markers/crayons/paint and paper.  They will not be able to create with glue, scissors, and other art supplies, like older ones will.  Don’t worry, they’ll be able to soon!

Tomorrow: Hold onto Your Hats….We’re Talking about Technology and Play…quite the hot topic these days!