2. 2
Art vs.Crafts
To findoutthe differencesbetweenartandcrafts we needto focuson how the projectis
prepared,the processandthe endproduct.The definitionof artis; “somethingthatiscreatedwith
imaginationandskill andthatisbeautiful orthatexpressesimportantideasorfeelings”(“Art”,2013).
The definitionof craftis; “an activitythatinvolvesmakingsomethinginaskillful waybyusingyour
hands”(“Craft”,2013).
To prepare anart projectforchildrenis simple;it’sbasicallygatheringage appropriate materials
and placingtheminfrontof the children.Itisimportanttoletthe childrenexperimentwiththe
materialsanduse themintheirownway;little tono inputfromteachers.Anart projectshouldhave no
pre-determinedendproduct,asmentionedinthe definitionabove; artisabout imaginationand
expression.Anexample of anart projectforchildren isgatheringfeathers,leaves,stickersand anyother
material youwanted, placingitonthe art table withsome paper,glue andpaintand tellingthe children
theycan create whatevertheyfeel like.Evenif one childgluesone feathertothe page thenquitsand
anotherpaintsthe entire page thencontinuestoglue all the materialshe canfittothe page.Everychild
will expressthemselvesdifferentlyandlettingthemdosoislettingthemdoart.
Whenit comesto crafts,the teacherplays a muchbiggerrole. There ismore planningneeded
whenpreparingacraft for children ratherthanan art project.There needstobe specificmaterials
collected aswell asa model made forthe childrentoreferto.The teacherwill needtohelpouta lot
more duringthe process,copyinga model will be easyforsome childrenyetdifficultforothers;thiswill
dependonage and experiences.Craftsshouldalwayshave anendproduct,whenthe childrenare done
the craft, theyshouldall looksimilar. Anexampleof acraft for childrenis creatingaladybugmodel,
givingeachchild the neededmaterialstore-create the ladybugandtellingthe childrentheyhave to
copy the model.The teacherwill have tohelpthe childrenhavingdifficultysothatwhenthe craftis
finishedtherewillbe multipleladybugsthatall lookthe same.
If art isforced,projectswill lack creativity. Creativity isdefinedas:“the abilitytomake newthings
or thinkof newideas”(“Creativity”,2013). Whenart isintrinsicallymotivatedandchildrenare leftto
expressideasfreelyitwill promote manycharacteristicsof creativity suchas:curiosity,problemsolving,
self-confidence,originalityandinsight.All in whichare veryimportanttochildren’searlydevelopment
as well as future life skills.Anexampleof thiswouldbe:havingartsuppliesoutforchildrentouse at any
time duringthe dayand justobservingthe childrenwhilethey create.A childmightnothave everything
theyneedatthe table andwill have tothinkof a differentwayof expressingwhattheyfeel,thismight
take some time andmake the childthinkof manydifferentpossibilities,the childmightaskthe teacher
“what if I triedthis…?”.Thatone art projectjusthelpedthe childwithproblemsolving,curiosity,insight
and originality.Tobringoutcharacteristicsof creativityinchildren,itisimportanttovalue children’s
creativity,be acreative partnerandprovide time,space andmaterialsforcreative expression. Forcinga
childto create a specificendproduct,especiallyif itisnotin the interest of the child,cancause
frustrationandtake all characteristicsof creativityawayfromthe project.Istronglyfeel thatart isthe
bestchoice whenitcomesto youngerchildrenandcraftsshouldbe forthe olderchildrenwhoneeda
challenge orthose thatare readyto learnhow to follow specificdirections.
3. 3
Art vs.Crafts
References
Art. (2013, September17).In MerriamWebsteronline dictionary.Retrievedfrom http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/art .
Craft. (2013, September 17). In Merriam Webster online dictionary. Retrieved from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/craft .
Creativity. (2013, September 17). In Merriam Webster online dictionary. Retrieved from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/creativity .
