handicrafts- how long?

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  • February 18, 2011 at 7:35 pm
    alice
    Participant

    I am thinking ahead to next year, and I was wondering how long you stick with a handicraft.  I am thinking of starting with knitting or something using yarn, since we have a LOT of yarn I’ve picked up at yard sales.  So, do you focus on one handicraft over the full school year…do one per term, or something else entirely?  I need to have a plan of some sort, and I want an idea of how long to work in one area. 
    Also, is this something you have your kids do daily, a few days week or once a week?  Just looking for what everyone else is doing!

    Thanks!

    February 18, 2011 at 7:58 pm
    Sara B.
    Participant

    I go by what the kids like to do (or don’t like to do).  For example, my oldest dd is nearly 8, and she LOVES anything arts & crafts.  I just started her on plastic canvas needlepoint, and she is LOVING it.  We will probably do these as long as she’s interested in them, and probably add in regular needlepoint &/or knitting/crocheting as she gets old enough to do it mostly by herself.  My next oldest dd is 6 1/2, and while she likes to color, she is not really into the art thing like her sister.  So she’ll do it for about 10-15 min, then she’s done.

    Now, for my oldest, she wants to be an artist when she grows up, so we do Handicrafts (or something crafty) pretty much every day, even if it’s just her being creative with who-knows-what she finds laying around.  Art we do 3 times a week, once a “real” lesson in drawing or painting with my dh, who has that natural talent (I do not LOL).  But for my 6yo, who we are focusing on science and math instead, we do Handicrafts once a week, and art twice (one “fun” time, and one more “formal” with Daddy).

    HTH,

    Sara  🙂

    February 18, 2011 at 9:36 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    We do much of the same as Sara, following interests. We usually stick with one until its done, then move on to the next – whether the same type or something new. For us, during family read-aloud time is best – shooting for 5 nights a week. Have fun!

    February 22, 2011 at 9:42 pm
    alice
    Participant

    Thanks for your responses.  I hadn’t been on here in a few days and had forgotten that I asked a question till just now!

    February 22, 2011 at 9:47 pm
    alice
    Participant

    Ok, I should have added this to my previous post, oops!  I was under the impression that handicrafts was something we wanted to not only expose our children to, but also to give our children a chance of developing skills in a certain area.  If it’s done just when the child is interested, wouldn’t there be a chance that nothing would really be learned since only a small amount of time is being spent on it?  I guess I need to go look up what CM said on the subject!

    March 7, 2011 at 7:06 pm
    knitnspinner
    Member

    I don’t know what CM said about handicrafts Embarassed but I do have certain attainable goals for my dd. (I have not taught my boys any handicrafts! I intend to get them started with soapcarving, though, once I get some more Ivory in the house!) Finishing the project is the goal. She has learned to knit and spin wool into yarn, and will be learning handquilting in just a few weeks. We have school for three weeks and then one week off all year round. On our weeks off, we can tackle a new skill and do our alternate science study(flying creatures of the fifth day) 

    My dd does a bit of handwork in the morning while I read aloud in the living room. We have our “Bible Time” there right after breakfast and we close our time with Trial and Triumph-which is a nice transition from Bible to History. During our T&T reading she will either spin on her handspindle or knit on the scarf she is making for one of her brothers. I do try to encourage her by asking about her project and seeing her progress. Otherwise, she will leave it in a drawer for weeks at a time. I’ve also noticed that seeing me work on something has her pulling her project out, too. 

    March 7, 2011 at 8:20 pm
    houseofchaos
    Participant

    We do handicrafts a few days a week.  Usually we have a longer term project going on (cross-stitch, rug hooking, etc.) plus something that goes along more quickly (ex. loom knitting a hat or dischcloth, puppet making, etc).   Personally, I think it’s important to have both – it’s good to persevere and finish a high quality project, but it’s encouraging for the kids to finish something more quickly as well.

    I also encourage small projects of many different types for everyone.  My boy can sew and knit, but does not choose it as a pastime.  However, when he needs to he can make his own pajama pants, etc.  My girls have tried woodcarving and other things some may call more “boyish”.  We don’t make a lot of distinctions.  I grew up with only sisters, and when my dad needed a hand in the shop/yard/etc., we were there alongside him – cleaning out gutters, shovelling snow, building a fence.  Because my mother was sick a lot, my dad can run a household rather well.  Having a variety of skills broadens horizons, and many children find something enjoyable that they did not expect.

    I would suggest starting slowly, one or two days a week – just don’t let them burn out with enthusiasm (not all kids will, but some definitely will). 

    Timeline – I’m not so good with that one.  Basically I pick a small project and we work on it steadily until the child understands the technique, then they can work on it until they’re finished.  I like to set a goal of a certain number of projects per year – usually one larger one and several smaller ones.

     

     

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