Charlotte advocated the child’s learning handicrafts. In her day, those handicrafts could help to support and enable the child as he or she grew to adulthood. So we have expanded the list to include life skills, which are likewise important in teaching children to be industrious and preparing them to manage their own households someday.

Four succinct points should be kept in mind when selecting handicrafts and life skills.

The end-product should be useful. The children should not “be employed in making futilities such as pea and stick work, paper mats, and the like.”
Teach the children “slowly and carefully what they are to do.”
Emphasize the habit of best effort. “Slipshod work should not be allowed.”
Carefully select handicrafts and life skills to challenge but not frustrate. “The children’s work should be kept well within their compass.”

(taken from Home Education, p. 315)

The Handicrafts Made Simple video series may also be helpful to you.