Welcome to Ditch the Copycat Crafts Mindset
Mini course
There are three basic pieces of content to start.
First there is a PDF report that gives a quick, easy explanation of why copycat crafts is detrimental. There is an article I wrote on the topic a number of years ago. Then there is a video that was created for adults explaining why they might not feel creative and it all goes back to their childhood.
I also have 6 sample videos from my art activities hub and a bonus letter to the parents.
Click on each image to download
A basic understanding on why copycat crafts is detrimental to children
An article from way back when that I wrote on this topic in a Jewish weekly
Reprinted with permission from www.Mishpacha.com
Video created for adults explaining why they might not feel creative
From Why to How
The PDF, article and video above should have explained clearly why copycat crafts is detrimental.
However, that doesn't mean you would know what to do instead of copycat crafts.
There are many different types of activities you can do with creative art and this mini course cannot touch even a half of them but, below are some samples.
I divided the videos into 3 categories with 2 videos each to give you an idea of what types of art fits into this.
Category 1: Toddlers should only be doing process activities where they are learning about the mediums they are using and what they can do. They are not ready for more representational activities.
Category 2: Kindergarten Children in kindergarten are usually about 5 (some schools this age Pre 1A or primary) can take creative art up a bit from the toddler by stage by manipulating harder to do use tools like a hole puncher and actually making "something" like puppets.
Category 3: Early Elementary and above: Even though this is more about early childhood there are some schools that continue giving kids in early elementary lots of art. Kids at this level are more able to do activites listed that have more structure to them.
While the older children can always do the younger kids activities the younger children should not attempt the older children s activities as this will make them feel inadequate as they can't perform at that age level.
Toddlers
Even though it looks like a craft it works because all they have to do is paste stuff onto the contact paper.
Kindergarten
Ages 4 and up and usually ready to create something like puppets.
Early Elementary
Younger won't have much patience for this as it can be difficult to trace their designs.
Older kids can do this to. They will just end up making more sophisticated patterns
Toddlers can't do this because they are unable to use a hole puncher.
Some younger children may enjoy this but, must better older kids
BONUS:
Below is a template of a letter to parents you can use.
If you are making the switch to more creative art from copycat crafts and don't how to share this with the parents here is a basic letter that you can edit to suit your needs
