Arts and Crafts in the Library

We know children love arts and crafts! Craft supplies are costly. We are able to provide materials for these projects through the very generous organization, Friends of the Library for Beaufort, Port Royal, Lobeco and St. Helena libraries. We couldn’t do these activities without their support. Our Gingerbread Program in December is completely funded by the Friends organization, and this is an arts and crafts program as well. You just get to eat it after! 

We have many parents who enjoy the activities because “it keeps the mess out of our house!” The children who attend these programs are often new to the experience of using glue, glitter, and scissors, depending on the age of the participants. Using art materials promotes eye-hand coordination, it allows self-expression, and critical thinking. Fine motor skills are improved with arts and crafts, as well as confidence and independence. Working next to others in a group also increases social skills. Many children will help another who might be struggling with a decision about design or materials to use in their project. We see helpers during arts and crafts. “Can’t tie a knot? Let me show you!” Many times, it’s easier to take advice and help from someone your age, instead of an adult.

Our programs often have a specific product for children to complete, for example, a lighted lantern covered with tissue paper with the participants choosing the paper colors and gluing them on in their own designs. Other programs allow children to design their own creation, using the many art supplies and resources we have in the library. During our Science Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math programs (STEAM), we have several different art related projects for participants to choose from. At times, we just supply the materials and allow the children to work using the materials in the way they choose, with no “rules.” This is called “Process art.” Learning how the materials feel, move, and work with other materials to create an original work of art.   Another favorite has been salt art painting, using glue and salt to make a shape on paper, then gently painting the salted design by touching the salt with a paintbrush loaded with watercolor paint. We provide sensory experiences playing in Kinetic Sand, different types of modeling material, and we even have gluten free playdough at times. Slime is a creative activity. Children must measure the ingredients and mix until the desired texture is achieved. We complete crafts like windchimes and sensory bottles, providing simple material choices for children to use.

We have art programs that are focused on different famous artists and how they use different materials to create their masterpieces. Children use the same materials to create artwork they design. On March 12^th, we are highlighting Claude Monet and his art.

There are many benefits to creating art, and many materials we can use to create art. Our mission is to provide learning opportunities in all aspects of library use and participation. Using a variety of materials allows the children to learn without sitting at a desk, listening, and instead of directed learning, our children learn and create at their interest level and pace.

Many activities are messy and require set-up, demonstrations, multiple levels of skills, and usually a pretty big clean-up at the end. The employee who vacuums our carpet after these programs deserves a gold medal!

Here is a link to Favorite Children’s Books About Art. Sophie’s Masterpiece by Eileen Spinelli is listed here. It’s one of our favorites for sure!