In today’s world, we are so drowned in technology and so dependent on it that it is hard to imagine even a moment or an activity that we can do without relying on technology. Nowadays even children learn to use and operate technological devices before they can properly speak.
While it is not absolutely possible to shun the use of technology from our everyday life, we definitely should try to search for some activities wherein we can keep away all the technological devices for the time being. Engaging in paper crafts is an activity that everyone, especially children can consider.
| PROS of Paper Crafts | CONS of Paper Crafts |
| Keeps away from technology | Involves sharp objects |
| Enhance and direct oneself | Usage of objects that can be harmful to toddlers |
| Helps in expressing | Needs adult supervision |
| Improves problem-solving skills | Resources might not be available |
| Teaches to follow directions | Everyone might not succeed |
| Develops motor skills | Frustration at not being able to do good |
| Creative outlet | Wastage of paper |
| Improves focus | |
| Helps to socialize |
Benefits Of Paper Crafts For Kids
Keeps away from technology
For a technologically dependent population as ours, there needs to be a certain period of time, however small, that we should spend away from technological devices.
Nowadays even most of our hobbies and pastimes involve relying on our phones or such other devices. We tend to become impaired without any technology. Hence, paper can be considered as a way to spend time away from those devices.
Enhance and direct oneself
While engaging in papercraft, there are no rules. In this activity there is no boss who is going to give directions as to what needs to be done, neither is it like the mobile games where rules are already made by the game developers. In papercraft, you have to make your own decisions and direct your own self.
Helps in expressing
To engage in papercraft is to create something out of nothing. You can do anything and everything with it while making your own rules.
You can express whatever you feel, no matter how bizarre, while making crafts with paper. To be able to express oneself is letting out the feelings, which is very important for refreshment.
Improves problem solving skills
In papercraft, the whole paper is a problem and whatever you want to make out of it or you have in mind is the solution.
To work your way through the whole paper and make it appear as you imagined it to be is the goal. This way of working one’s path through the problem improves the skills needed to solve problems.
Teaches to follow directions
The art of crafting paper involves working one’s way through the paper to make it look as they want it to be. For this, they need to create proper directions for themselves that they need to follow to achieve the desired result.
A deviation from this set of directions might not produce the desired result. In this way, paper crafting teaches one to follow directions.
Develops motor skills
For kids, it is very important to develop motor skills early in their life so as to perform better in the future. Motor skills are beneficial to everyone in all aspects of their life.
The steps performed so as to reach the desired result in paper crafting develop and enhance the motor skills.
Creative outlet
No matter how much we focus on science, having a creative outlet is what saves us during times of mental distress.
To let one’s mind flow without any boundary or rules keeps them sane and helps them work on other aspects of their personal development. Papercraft provides that outlet so that they can go wayward and create whatever they like.
Improves focus
Though there are no rules to paper crafting, it needs immense focus and determination to do everything needed to form the exact shape that they have in mind.
This improves one’s ability to focus on things and makes it easier to concentrate.
Helps to socialize
If one forms an interest in paper crafting, they can go forward to find other like-minded people who are interested and passionate about paper crafting. They can connect with such people and become part of communities. This increases the social circle.
Drawbacks Of Paper Crafts For Kids
Involves sharp objects
Paper crafting requires the active usage of knives or scissors or other sharp tools. This involvement of sharp objects might not prove to be fruitful for kids or people who are mentally unstable.
Usage of objects that are unsafe for toddlers
Using glue or scissors is not safe for children. Hence, this activity becomes partially unavailable to children who might not use these tools safely.
Needs adult supervision
Because paper crafting involves the use of tools that are unsafe for children, adult supervision is a must if any child wishes to engage in this. So, it is not something that children can do on their own.
Possible unavailability of resources
To start paper crafting, one needs to go shop for various colored papers and other such things. It cannot be done with household objects. So, it is not a hobby that can be pursued immediately after deciding to do so.
Everyone might not succeed
Paper crafting requires a huge amount of focus, concentration, and determination which might not be suitable for everyone. Apart from that, not everyone is creatively expressive which might keep them from succeeding at papercraft.
Frustration at failing
Any failed attempt at paper crafting might put one through frustration if they were already in a vulnerable state of mind. It might keep them from trying at any other hobby.
Wastage of paper
The success at paper crafting will result in beautiful art while failing at the same will just lead to wastage of paper which will ultimately prove to be harmful to the environment.
Paper crafting is a great hobby that one can do with one’s family. If the minor inconveniences are taken care of, paper crafting can actually prove to be a fruitful creative outlet.
Conclusion
Paper crafting for kids offers a technology-free creative outlet, enhancing decision-making, problem-solving, and motor skills. It fosters self-expression and concentration while providing a socializing opportunity.
However, adult supervision is needed due to sharp objects, and resource availability may be a concern. Overall, it’s a great hobby with benefits and some considerations.
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