Handicrafts as Motor Skills Training for Children

Dear users, dear authors,
which handicrafts would you recommend as motor skills training for children?

I’d say:
start with weaving. You don’t need much.
To begin with, even a very thick, rectangular piece of cardboard will do. No corrugated cardboard.
Use a sharp knife to cut notches at the top and bottom of the short sides. Just don’t make them too close together. Simply wrap a sturdy cord all the way around until all the notches are covered. This creates long fringes. An adult can do this part.
Then just start weaving with wool that isn’t too thin. Even 5- to 6-year-olds can do this.

Have fun with it! 😊

Oops,

I forgot to mention: You don’t need needles.

Weaving can be done simply with your fingers.

Every now and then, I have my grandchildren wind thick yarn onto a ball. It’s not as easy as it sounds, because you have to hold the ball with one hand and wind the yarn around it with the other. If it bounces away, you have to chase after it. This helps develop fine motor skills and coordination.

Sometimes I do it the other way around. I wrap a little surprise inside a giant ball of leftover yarn, and the kids get to unwrap it.

My 5-year-old grandson really enjoys doing diamond painting right now. It involves placing tiny stones onto a pre-drawn design. This requires concentration and dexterity. It might fall more under crafts than needlework—but it’s still a lot of fun.

We’re currently working on a set of 10 glow-in-the-dark coasters. It’s relaxing for young and old alike.

Love, Ina