Aiming for accuracy: training eye-hand control

Card making kits - educational and fun to make

Crafting with children doesn't need to be wild and messy - some children love accuracy and will proudly showcase their new skill of colouring within the lines. And it doesn't need to stop there: This simple but pretty card helps training fine motor skills and hand-eye control.

My five year old proudly made this card very much on her own. I sandwiched the embossing folder for her, she rolled it through the BigShot. The raised surface structure makes for easy and tidy colouring with felt tips, glitter pens and glitter glue.

Bow making is a skill yet to be mastered, which is why I provided the tag with the twine already on. To attach it she draws a line of glue, using a fine nozzle glue bottle and a ruler, with some guidance for accuracy purposes. For a wider ribbon she could have simply peeled off a strip of double sided adhesive already on the card.

Help was also needed to straighten the twine before the glue dried. Afterwards she cut the ends off herself while I supervised the right position of the scissors - just so she wouldn't cut into the card. Similarly, after she peeled the number stickers off the sheet using tweezers, I needed to guide her arm for the accurate positioning on the card.

Decorative modern art, by the very young

Wall art: Colour action!

Making art with your children can start very early. Why not let your little one loose with small blobs of finger paint on a plate or in a bowl: Choosing a colour, then another, sensing the viscosity of the paint, and translating her excitement over this sensual activity into movement - it's a joy to watch!

To divide the colours for a neat result I used two ceramic sushi trays. Finger paint will look dull once it has dried, but you can keep the vibrant 'wet' look of the colours if you spray the artwork with a finish of clear laquer - or just wipe it with oil if you want to re-use the plate at a later time.

A queen for one day

The very proud crafter of this glittery cown has just turned five.