Arts and Crafts in Chestnut Hill with Nest Chestnut Hill

It’s craft time at the MARKET! Join us every Third Friday to do arts and crafts activities with the Nest  Chestnut Hill.  It’s fun for the family and easy entertainment for the kids! Come hang out at the Market while the Nest hosts arts and crafts time and you do your shopping!  Stay tuned for what this month’s craft will be.

On Friday, September 16, from 11am-1pm, the MARKET at the FAREWAY in Chestnut Hill Philadelphia (8229 Germantown Avenue, located behind the Chestnut Hill Hotel), is partnering with the Nest in Chestnut to hold arts and crafts activities classes in the MARKET.

The Nest is a child enrichment and activity center, an all-in-one play space for happy, healthy and hip families living in Philadelphia and it’s surrounding neighborhoods.  NEST offers a wide range of incredible kids classes, and services like birthday parties, gift boutique, cafe, and indoor and outdoor playground, all in a clean, safe and secure environment.

North Shore Pediatric Therapy explains why arts and crafts activities are beneficial for your kids!

1. Bilateral Coordination– Bilateral coordination is the ability to use both sides of the body at the same time in a controlled and organized manner. Being able to coordinate both sides of the body is an indication that both sides of the brain are communicating and sharing information with each other.  Crafts such as coloring, drawing, cutting, and painting, all require your child to use both of their hands together.  This skill is not only important for arts and crafts, but it is also important for cooking, writing, getting dressed, typing, and basically everything!
2. Fine Motor Skills– Fine motor skill (or dexterity) is the coordination of small muscles, in movements—usually involving the synchronization of hands and fingers—with the eyes. The complex levels of manual dexterity that humans exhibit can be attributed to and demonstrated in tasks controlled by the nervous system. Your child uses and develops their fine motor skills when they draw shapes, cut out shapes, draw, and write.  These skills also come in handy for sports activities!
3. Self Regulation– Crafts that require drying (i.e. if you use glue or puffy paint) require waiting! Waiting is great way for your child to practice patience.  In addition, doing arts and crafts can make your child more flexible because rarely do the arts and crafts sessions go as planned.  As a result, your child must be flexible and come up with a new plan if the first plan did not work.
4. Self-esteem booster– It is good to choose crafts that are at your child’s skill level.  This way, the child feels accomplished and a sense of pride that they completed a task all on their own.  It doesn’t hurt to mix it up with some activities of a higher skill level so you can help them improve their skills.
5. Bonding and fun-Your kids will love spending time with you and creating something together!  It makes for a great topic of discussion and you will learn about your child as you see their brain at work.
6. Encouraging creativity- Arts and crafts activities are an excellent tool to get the creative juices flowing for your child and let their imagination take over.  The options are almost endless and you may learn more about your child’s day or experiences when it comes to life in an arts and crafts activity.