17/11/2025
Every time we correct, direct, or “fix” a child’s art, we send a subtle message about trust, in which our children learn that their ideas are less valuable than ours. They start to believe there is a “right” way to create, which slowly chips away at confidence, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation, which are the very traits that drive real learning.
It’s often said that crafts help children build fine motor skills or learn to follow directions, but those benefits are limited when the materials and steps are already predetermined. Most crafts involve only a few pieces that must be used in a specific way, leaving little room for variation or genuine skill-building. Open-ended materials meet children exactly where they are in both ability and interest. They allow for broader movement, coordination, and experimentation — and because there’s no fixed end product, children work longer, revisit ideas, and deepen understanding.
And while following directions is part of daily life, children already spend much of their day doing just that (listening, lining up, cleaning up, sitting down, transitioning, etc.). What they need far more of is time to think and do for themselves, to plan, make decisions, and act on their own ideas. That is what grows the brain.
Research shows that creativity and problem solving thrive when children have autonomy, choice, and open-ended experiences. Studies on motivation and development (Deci & Ryan, 2000; Kim, 2011) reveal that when children are free to explore without correction or comparison, they show higher creativity, longer engagement, and stronger critical thinking.
Before we hand out pre-cut shapes or guide little hands toward a “perfect” product, it’s worth asking: What is my child really learning from this?
Join us for our free webinar, “Rethinking Early Learning: More Than Crafts and Worksheets,” where we’ll explore how authentic, brain-based experiences fuel creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning(Nov 26, 2025 12:00 PM EST).
FREE REPLAY FOR EVERYONE WHO SIGNS UP!
Join for FREE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DfJ26HjERJSlS4BOhSgQ8w #/registration
Get CERTIFIED: https://www.weskoolhouse.com/store-webinars
