Homeschooling and crafts.. do they go together? - Page 2

[traceface]

I think what's important about crafts is the concept that you can *create* something where nothing was before (be it a useful item or simply a beautiful one.) it's not just about the actual cutting or whatever skill but rather learning about initiative in undertaking a manual project.

I grew up with very intellectual parents who sort of prided themselves on not being crafty or being able to fix anything(as if those skills can't co-exist w/ "brain smarts"!). and of course I ended up the same way, without any practical skills and wary of any project involving hand skills.

but now my dh and son are helping me discover this side of life, I'm learning to knit and do some other craft stuff. And realizing that the skill itself is less important than the mental approach taken to projects, i.e. 'you can always rig up a solution with what is on hand', or 'anything can be fixed'

[MamaMonica]

Originally Posted by traceface

And realizing that the skill itself is less important than the mental approach taken to projects, i.e. 'you can always rig up a solution with what is on hand', or 'anything can be fixed'

What a great way of putting it.

[UUMom]

And I think kids, even little kids, do want to create particular things at particular times. When I learned to knit, I followed the directions to the letter, as i wanted my item to look exactly as the one in the pattern. I wasn't interested in reinventing the wheel or taking two years to do it-- I just wanted to make the darn hat! So a kid wants to make an arrplane, or whatever? They want it to be a certain way. Because they do, doesn't follow that they aren't creative or whatever. They just want the darn airplane. :LOL And if you do A, B & C, exactly as shown, you get one.

[clairegrace]

If you mean craft kits - where they glue and make something like on the box of the product - YUCK!

However, my oldest is learning about our sewing machine, she also likes to do yarn crafts to make potholders. She also helps make candles and soaps. I like these crafts because we use the soap, candles, crocheted items around the house. Sometimes we take them to flea markets and sell them and she keeps the money (since we don't do allowances)

I also have tons of fingerpaint, crayon, pencils, markers, clay laying around. My children take these out and just create.

There are just as many homeschoolers who don't EVER do crafts. Probably just as many who do. I don't think its necessary if your child has no interest in it. But it is wonderful to watch their eyes light up when they take things and make something truly unique to them.

Cara