Art and crafts are an integral part of a child's overall development. Cultivating a creative and expressive self is important for building confidence, creative thinking and problem-solving skills. This can be achieved by engaging children in a variety of activities using a variety of art media and materials. However, children are generally not suitable for art and crafts until around 12 months old. From the time they are toddlers, many young children have the opportunity to freely express their ideas through art materials. Crafts play an important role in children learning more work-related skills such as sewing, knitting, woodblock printing, bookbinding and doll making.

When determining the appropriate age for art and crafts, the following characteristics should be considered first or primarily:

• Cause and effect

• Sensory elements

• Size of components

• Color/contrast

However, the order of these characteristics is not necessarily a reflection of priority, as it changes with age.

The following discussion will relate these toy characteristics to the characteristics of children in each age group, including what types of art and crafts are appropriate and how children of a certain age use these media.

8 to 11 Months

Between 8 and 11 months, babies become more active, more coordinated, and more easily triggered by external factors. As their physical and cognitive abilities develop, babies of this age begin to understand some simple cause and effect relationships. Art materials therefore have a certain appeal to babies at this stage, but only at the functional application or exploration stage. They can grasp large, easy-to-grip crayons and markers and can write on paper. However, drawing or doodling is generally not done until after 1 year old. Babies at this stage are accustomed to exploring objects with their mouths, and it is recommended not to use paint.

12 to 18 Months

Twelve to 18 months of age, toddlers are increasingly curious and inquisitive, as their walking skills improve. As their balance improves, they may begin to write on walls or easels. Using fine motor coordination, they can perform many functional hand movements, including controlled grasping and releasing. As they approach 18 months, they appreciate having a dominant hand. They then use their eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and body to explore the world around them more extensively. However, their interaction with art materials remains functional or exploratory, and their attention span is limited to short periods of time. Either by imitation or spontaneous expression, they begin to scribble and draw circles.

Materials should be small enough for a toddler’s hand to grasp and should be light and sturdy. Large, easy-to-grip crayons and markers are best for this stage, and large art and teaching drawing paper is best. For children who can stand steadily, an easel is recommended.

At this stage, babies are used to exploring objects with their mouths, so it is not recommended to use paint.

19 to 23 months

At 19 to 23 months, children begin to develop figurative and symbolic thinking. But even at nearly two years old, their figurative art is still in its infancy. Although the things they draw are non-figurative and adults cannot see any figurative meaning, to children, they represent something. By the age of two, some children can draw simple angles. Their fine motor skills are further strengthened, they are more purposeful in doing things, and they like to try things. Art, especially doodling, gives them a non-verbal way of expression. In addition, doodling helps children develop muscle control, which is exactly what they need for the next stage of development.

The materials should be suitable for children's hands to grasp and should be light and sturdy. Large, easy-to-grip crayons and markers are good for this stage, and large sheets of art and teaching drawing paper are best. Some children use easels to draw. Babies at this stage are used to exploring objects with their mouths, so it is not recommended to use paint. In their late twenties, children can string large beads with shoelaces.

2 Years

Two-year-olds are very interested in representational and symbolic play. Their fine motor skills are further improved, and their hands are becoming more and more flexible. At this time, they begin to express themselves in an artistic way. Their cognitive development and physical growth allow them to use a large number of art materials, although they still put things in their mouths. They like the texture of the materials and will use their hands to manipulate the materials whenever they have the opportunity. They like to paint with their fingers. They can distinguish different colors, can move each finger independently, and begin to use blunt-tipped scissors. They can also doodle, draw circles and lines, and copy circles and crosses. Between 24 and 30 months, children learn to add two parts to the human figure outline, and then three. The process of drawing is more important to them than the result.
For two-year-olds, materials that fit their hands are best, and should be light and sturdy. Crayons and markers should be easy to hold, while modeling clay and similar materials should be soft. Non-toxic tempera paints and large brushes are better for two-year-olds, but large sheets of art and teaching drawing paper are still the best choice. Some children use easels to draw. They learn to use blunt-tipped scissors and string large beads; finger painting is also a favorite art activity.

3 years old

When talking about their art, three-year-olds know how to point to what something means. They will draw the same shape and then doodle it again and again, practicing and exploring through art. They are fascinated by art materials that produce interesting effects and stimulate the sense of touch. They are less likely to put art and craft materials in their mouths, so aromatic materials are more appropriate. They are beginning to learn to use scissors and glue, and their fine motor control is further improved. They can add four or five parts to the human figure and can copy circles and squares. They can also distinguish between big and small, and some can use bobble beads as required. Materials should be suitable for children's hands and should be light and sturdy. 3-year-olds like large, easy-to-grip crayons, markers, and paintbrushes. Non-toxic tempera and finger paints, as well as art paper and teaching drawing paper in various colors and sizes, are more suitable for children at this stage. Children like to draw on easels. Now they can use round-tipped scissors and non-toxic glue, and can make collages and scrapbooks. They can also use self-adhesive stickers, stickers, glitter, spinning yarn, and pompoms in their creations. At the same time, they can string beads, mold clay and plasticine, and use chalk to write or draw on the blackboard.

4 to 5 years old

At 4 to 5 years old, children’s drawings begin to resemble what they want to represent. They can add up to 7 parts to the human figure. They can string beads and keep them in the original order. They can cut along lines and copy squares, grids, ladders, letters and numbers. As they approach 5 years old, their artwork becomes more clear and reflects real or imaginary situations. They become fascinated by materials that produce interesting effects and stimulate the sense of touch.
Their drawings become more realistic and detailed, and they include more things that they never had before. They can copy circles, crosses, grids, triangles, letters and numbers. They also know how to use scissors correctly and can weave simple things. 5-year-olds now know how to add nine parts to the human figure.
Materials should be suitable for young hands to grasp and should be light and sturdy. Children aged 4 and 5 enjoy using crayons, markers, brushes and various sizes of art and teaching drawing paper. Non-toxic tempera, finger paint, and watercolor paints, as well as easels, are suitable for children at this stage. They are now deft with round-tipped scissors and non-toxic glue or tape to make collages and scrapbooks. They are also using self-adhesive paper, glitter, yarn, and pom-poms in their creations. They are kneading clay and playdough, using clay craft sticks and plasticine tools, and chalk to write or draw on a blackboard. They are stringing beads and doing simple sewing, using micro-looms, and using stamps and non-toxic ink. Around age 5, children can begin using smaller diameter, adult-sized crayons and colored pencils.

6 to 8 Years

 6 to 8 Years old Children are very interested in experimenting and exploring things in the form of art. They find things that are realistic very attractive and are happy to have the opportunity to use a variety of materials in art and crafts. And they are still very fascinated by materials that can produce complex and interesting effects. At around 8 years old, children are able to follow the instructions in their crafting tools to complete tasks. At this time, the art and craft materials they use tend to be more adult-oriented, with a focus on the final product and the mastery of skills. Children are beginning to be interested in craft projects that were once considered folk arts or work-related, such as simple woodworking or large needlework. They are beginning to be interested in photography and simple jewelry making, such as stringing beads. Now, in addition to knowing how to use all the things used by young children, they also know how to use colored pencils, art chalks, colored chalks, watercolors, sketchbooks, wax paper, sharp scissors, various art papers, printing equipment, cameras, micro looms, plaster of Paris, concrete paper, leather strips and molds. Materials should be firm and suitable for young hands to grasp. They are very interested in open-ended materials, that is, materials that do not limit the style of their art works. Children who have just entered elementary school enjoy using crayons, markers, brushes, colored pencils and various sizes of art and teaching drawing paper. Easels, tempera or watercolors are more suitable for children at this stage. They can use scissors, non-toxic glue or tape very skillfully, and can make collages and scrapbooks. Wax paper, self-stick paper, glitter, yarn and small pompoms are still popular art materials for children at this stage. They can knead clay and plasticine (including self-hardening and polymer clay), use clay craft sticks and plastic tools, and make simple ceramics. They can also write or draw on the blackboard with chalk. Children aged 6 to 8 can also string beads and complete simple sewing and use micro-looms, and can use stamps and non-toxic ink. However, balloons are not suitable for children under 8 years old, and children under this age should not be given balloons in whole or in part. Children at this stage can use a full set of tools to make jewelry, soap, candles, paper figurines and copper-based enamel, but they may not be able to complete the tasks as planned until they are about 8 or 9 years old. They also enjoy other art and craft activities such as basket weaving, woodblock printing, bookbinding, carving, leatherwork, braiding, weaving, photography, and embossing.

9 to 12 years

Children aged 9 to 12 can receive technical training in art whenever they wish. They are more skilled in fine art techniques. At this time, their fine motor skills are close to those of adults, and they can participate in activities that require more care and concentration. Their interests, in addition to the activities listed above, also extend to calligraphy, drawing, crochet, embroidery, knitting, lace, puppetry, doll making, metalworking, puzzles, and ceramics. However, they are less at risk of injury, both because they are better able to protect themselves than younger children and because the various activities described here inevitably involve the use of sharp tools. They know how to use machines and tools such as sewing machines, wood burners, screwdrivers, and pliers.