As parents, sometimes we get so wrapped up in keeping our kids busy and entertained and enriched that we might forget to spend time with them. One perfect way to spend time with kids (of all ages) is to craft with them!
As a parent of an infant or toddler, pull out some big chunky crayons, a variety of paper and let her color (you color too - we all need to be kids again sometimes) - it won't be perfect (and it shouldn't be!) - but what a great way to spend time with your little one and it develops early fine motor skills. Plus, talk about the different colors, the different hues, everything you say to your little one is absorbed - one day they might surprise you by saying - "Mommy, that's turquoise - it's your favorite color!"
For preschool age - oh my gosh - crafting heaven! Messy crafts, neat crafts - they are all great for developing fine motor skills, creativity and they are just plain fun! The key to enjoying crafting is to connect with your child during craft-time, take a break from the laundry, and the other things you must do - and spend 15 minutes crafting something with your children - it's fun, and who knows, you might create something beautiful that you can hang on the refrigerator - or in a window!
Here's a couple fun winter crafts to try:
Snowflakes - I'm sure you remember these - fold paper in half several times and then start cutting! Unfold, and you'll have a beautiful snowflake. Make it even more fun, by sprinkling with glitter (use a glue stick first where you want the glitter to stick). Very pretty and FUN!
Snow Mural - use a piece of blue construction paper. Pour a little glue into some shallow containers, dip cotton balls in the glue and then stick onto the paper - you have a snow mural! Be sure to display it.
Remember, as parents the most important thing we can do is spend quality time with our little ones.
Happy Crafting!
译文:
和你的孩子一起做手工！
为人父母，有时我们热切渴望让我们的孩子在忙碌的同时，既得到快乐又增长知识，然而我们可能忘记了花点时间和他们一起。和孩子（所有年龄段的孩子）渡过时光的绝妙的方法就是和他们一起做手工！
身为一个幼儿或是蹒跚学步的孩子的家长，拿出些大大胖胖的彩色蜡笔，许多纸，让她涂颜色（你也一起涂颜色——有时我们都需要重新做个孩子）——这样不会就是完美的（也不应该是！）——但是这是多么好的和你的小家伙共度时光的方式，它还会培养早期的动手技巧。另外，说到不同的色彩，色调，你和小宝宝说的所有东西都被她认真吸收——有一天他们可能说出些话另你大吃一惊——“妈妈，这是青绿色，是你最喜欢的颜色！”
对于学龄前的孩子——我的天哪——做手工的天堂！乱七八糟的手工，精巧整洁的手工——它们都对于发展好的动手技巧和创造力大有裨益，而且它们还很有趣！享受做手工的关键所在是在做手工的时候和你的孩子沟通，从洗衣服和其它你必须要做的事情里抽点空出来——花上个15分钟好孩子一起做点小手工——这挺有趣，而且谁知道呢，说不定你做出了很漂亮的东西可以挂在冰箱或是窗子上!
这里有两个有趣的冬天做的手工可以试试：
雪花——我肯定你记得这些——把纸对折好几次然后开始减。打开，你将有一片漂亮的雪花。让它变得更有趣，在上面洒亮片（用胶水把你想要有亮片的地方黏住）。非常漂亮而且有趣！
雪景壁饰——用一张蓝色建筑设计纸。在一个浅的容器里倒一点胶水，用棉球沾点胶水然后粘到纸上——你就有了幅雪景壁饰！一定要把它展示出来。
记住，身为父母，我们能做的最重要的事就是和我们的孩子一起共度有意思的时光。
做手工愉快！