Every child knows the excitement of showing off a new creation to their favorite person at pick up time from preschool. The knowledge that they created something that will hang on the fridge or other area in the child’s home gives them a sense of importance and love. For parents, this can sometimes be hard. The artwork looks nothing like well, anything. That is expected and completely normal. Let me explain…
Art in a preschool setting is open-ended and process-focused. It’s about exploration, imagination, and self-expression without a predetermined outcome. Children choose materials freely and create based on their own ideas. This type of creative process values experimentation over conformity.
Crafts, on the other hand, are structured and goal-oriented. They typically involve following specific instructions to create a defined product, think making a paper plate mask or decorating a predetermined shape. The focus is on developing skills like following directions, fine motor control, and obtaining a tangible result.
Why Both Matter at Schoolhouse Learning Center
- Holistic Skill Development
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- Arts (Process Art) support creativity, emotional expression, and cognitive flexibility—children learn through exploration and feel proud of their unique creations.
- Crafts (Product-Based) build fine motor skills, the ability to follow multi-step directions, and develop confidence through accomplishment.
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- Balanced Learning through Play
Combining both approaches creates a rich learning environment:
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- Art nurtures intrinsic motivation, self-expression, and divergent thinking.
- Craft encourages discipline, structure, and the satisfaction of completing a project.
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- Emotional & Social Benefits
Art offers ways for children to express feelings and ideas non-verbally, boosting self-esteem and resilience. Crafts allow children to collaborate, share tools, and follow group instructions and a foundation for social development. At Schoolhouse Learning Center, we intentionally weave both process-based art experiences and structured craft projects into our daily curriculum because each contributes uniquely to your child’s growth.
Tips for Parents to Encourage Both at Home
Encourage Process Art (Art)
- Offer open-ended materials: watercolors, crayons, collage supplies—no rules about what they should make.
- Celebrate the process: ask, “What are you creating?”, “Tell me about your art,” rather than, “What is it supposed to be?”
- Let them explore: allow painting with unconventional tools (e.g., sponges, sticks) or making textures with fingers and fabric.
Support Craft Projects
- Provide age-appropriate kits: use simple patterns or templates to guide children.
- Guide gently: help with steps, but let them handle gluing, cutting, or assembling.
- Use craft time for special occasions: holidays, birthdays, or as gifts—makes the activity feel meaningful.
Blended Ideas
- Open-ended coloring of a shaped template: gives structure, but allows creative freedom.
- Decorate blank ornaments, frames, or pots: aim for a final product, but encourage personal style.
- “Then and Now” projects: start with a craft base (e.g., outline of a tree) and invite your child to “finish it their way.”
At Schoolhouse Learning Center, we believe that art and craft are not the same but both are equally essential to your preschooler’s development. You will continue to see both are key parts of our curriculum, and offer fun, easy ways you can foster each at home.