Crafts are a great tool to enhance your child’s creativity.  Teaching them to glue, cut, paste, and stick are great ways to enhance their motor skills in this area.  It allows them to focus on one specific item at a time, and also shows them how to complete a task.  Personally, I enjoy doing crafts with my three year old.  Although it has taken him time to acquire a liking for it he now asks me to do crafts.  I think that it’s a great way for them to learn shapes, colors, and themes. I like to concentrate on specific themes, sometimes I use the season or a pick a random theme for that month.  This month, it’s February so I am focused on valentine’s day and winter crafts.  I normally find a lot of great idea from pinterest and I have found the sites to be very helpful with easy directions.  I like to add my own personality to the crafts, by using different materials or colors to show my own creativity.  Since my son is not yet in pre-school he doesn’t really learn about the holidays that are coming up, I want to teach him that they are fun and the reason behind it.  For valentine’s day I am teaching him about love, to love his sister, mommy, daddy, etc.  We made some window clings for our neighbors to see and this week we are making special valentine’s day cards for his loved ones and having a special party with snacks and treats.  Sine our kids are at home and not in school quite yet, I want to teach them ways to enjoy these holidays and have fun!  I encourage all of you stay at home moms (or working moms) to sit and do a simple valentine’s day craft with your toddler or kids.  It is rewarding for them to see us taking time out of our busy days to focus on them.  In my opinion it’s also a great way to bond with them and show them the importance of loving one another.  I recently went to target, and in the dollar section of the store they have so many things to work with.  You can also make them baskets filled with valentines goodies.  It doesn’t have to have candy but can include a card, stuffed animal and fruit snacks or any other alternatives to candy.  I am posting a picture of some ideas for you. 

            To share is to care, as always I look forward to your comments and feedback.  Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.  Together let’s keep striving for mommy success!