If so, what types of activities/crafts/hobbies do your DC do? I was reading this article: http://www.amblesideonline.org/Handicrafts.shtml and thought it would be nice to incorporate more handicrafts into our routine. I think the children would really enjoy it.

We will be doing handwork come fall. I tried to teach the boys finger knitting this past year and they weren't ready. So for grade 1 we will start with finger knitting, then spool knitting, then knitting on needles (mama has to learn too!). We will also do beeswax molding, wet felting, and perhaps rug hooking.

I crochet, so I already value handwork and I wish to pass it on to my boys. In the future I hope to introduce crochet, clay modelling, woodworking, wood carving, and weaving.

I do accept that they may choose to do other things with their hands, as DH plays guitar and they are very interested. DH doesn't do handwork. But I think there is something to be said for making something useful with your own hands.

Kimberly

My 7 yo can knit and is learning to make [even] chains while crocheting. My 4 yo watches, lol.

We just got a whole bunch of books from the library on different handicrafts. Thanks for sharing what you do in your home!

My 5, 7, 9, and 11 years olds all finger knit....

My 9 year old boy sews felt crafts, knits and crochets.

They all enjoy rubber stamping and origami as well.

Warm wishes,

My daughter loves finger knitting -- though she was the last in her class to figure it out last year.

I learned to knit from a Website and worked with her last year. She has the basic idea, but still needs lots of practice. I plan to incorporate knitting into our weekly schedule and think that handwork IS important.

In addition to building confidence and being able to create something useful, it is also good for the brain. The finger/hand-work and brain connection is very important.

Natalia

Yes, I hadn't read of Charlotte Mason's view on arts&crafts before seeing that article but I definitely agree with it. Your basic *cut and paste* kid's project isn't something I consider art. Not that my kids don't ever do that kind of stuff...we have all sorts of crafty supplies on hand. I just don't take the time to *teach* that kind of stuff. They've never had a problem figuring out what to do with pom poms and popsicle sticks on their own lol.

My dd is almost 10. I'm teaching her handwork skills along with the book Keepers at Home. I've worked on the following with her:

knitting
crocheting
weaving
hand sewing (with the Mary Frances Sewing Book)
embroidery
beadwork
friendship bracelets (Klutz book)
sculpey clay
sewing felt animals
bendy dolls
spool knitting
latch hook rugs
doll making
cross stitch

We do bookwork 4 days a week and Friday is our handwork day. We clean the house for the weekend after breakfast and then we do handwork. I found we really needed a good block of time...especially when learning something new. Of course, we work on things throughout the week too but I've found that having time set aside for handwork really helps the kids learn to stick to a project until it's done. I wish I had learned that as a kid :)


My 4yr old son is just beginning. He has his own sewing basket and often joins in on his own level. He sews with yarn on plastic canvas (I cut it down to about bookmark size), sews buttons on felt, strings jewelry with yarn and dyed pasta "beads", and stitches scraps of fabric and felt. He also LOVES to paint those inexpensive wooden vehicles that are sold at walmart and michaels.

I didn't think of painting wooden toys. I will have to try that. I think my DS would love that.

I told DS that we will be learning knitting, and at first he rejected the idea. Then I showed him the picture of the spider we will be learning to make and he was all for it:) He wanted to start right then and there, of course I don't have the supplies yet, so I will be making a run to Joann's today.