It’s Karen Whiting to chat about crafting with kids. Promote imagination, small motor skills, and communications with paper crafts! This involves cutting and cutting plus adding their own designs. In the case of my newest craft book, The Super-Sized Book of Bible Craft Gifts. The crafts in this book also involve adding words of kindness or encouragement and making crafts to give other people as actions of kindness. Crafting provides an opportunity to relate to each child’s personality.

The reserved, quiet child who is known as a thoughtful analyzer or perfect melancholy like to work alone and have plenty of time. This child seldom jumps in fast as he or she wants to observe and think things through first. Then the child wants to line ups the supplies and does not want to share them (someone might break his or her crayon or get the scissors dirty). He or she does not want to be rushed, so allow plenty of time. You might even introduce the activity the day before, show a sample or picture, and say, “Tomorrow we will make a star glider. This is what mine looks like.” This child strives for perfection and will work at being neat and making the craft perfectly, and can be very self-critical. If it comes out well, then the child wants to keep it forever.

The popular socializer jumps in and can’t wait for tomorrow. They want the art party to start right away. This child does not listen as well, because life is all about a big party and doing things with others. He or she wants you to watch and listen. This child talks all the time including while making a craft. She does her own thing and laughs if it comes out funny. The doing and being together is more important than the finished project. The child will work harder if you add that you’ll have an art show for daddy or someone else. That’s exciting. To display the work and an incentive to make it look great or at least colorful and she’ll stand by for a photo shoot. She easily loses supplies and grabs any she finds (don’t place her near the thoughtful analyzer).

The bossy little powerful director or mobilizer sets a goal to get the work done. He or she does listen and often figures out how to adapt the project to suit his or her needs. An art show means there should be prizes, awards, and photos to remember the project. Alas, while making it with others she will critique their work and tell them what to do to make it better. Temper that with adding a goal of making everyone feel good about what they make and realizing we have different talents.

The friendly supporter or stabilizer is a procrastinator. Any excuse to delay the work is fine. This child wants a comfy seat. He or she will do the project to keep peace. He or she is diplomatic and always finds good things to say to the other artists. The work may not be neat but that’s okay for him or her. She’s more interested in getting along than reaching perfection. Inspire this child with a promised reward such as playtime, rest, or a snack when they finish the project.

So how will you work with a group or siblings with different personalities? Here’s are a few tips:

• Use an old plastic tablecloth or piece of plastic ton cover the work surface.
• Place supplies for individuals in their own containers.
• Use small containers or wax paper to hold a little glue and provide a coffee storer for spreading the glue.
• Stay near the socializer and let the analyzers be further away from others as they like space.
• Precut extra materials for anyone who makes a mistake or loses a piece.
• Let the director help with passing out supplies and let that child choose to adapt the craft. Encourage the creativity.
• Let the quiet child work in quiet except to give some praise or answer questions. Laugh with the friendly supporter, and give the socializer attention. For the goal setting mobilizer, show approval of the creativity and his or her organized approach.

Have fun and encourage each child’s personality strengths. Share this post! Be sure to sign up to receive updates of each new post on our Christian Children’s Authors blog. Follow us for new book news, free resources, parenting tips, and encouragement! #childrensart #childrenspersonalities #creativity

Blessings,
Karen