During childhood, emotional development is essential to overall wellbeing. As caregivers, we want to equip our little ones with the best tools available to foster their mental wellbeing and develop their emotional maturity.
However, the subject of mental wellbeing can seem vast and complex for grown-ups, let alone little ones. Fortunately, understanding emotional development — and establishing a positive approach to mental health in childhood — doesn't have to be as daunting as it sounds.
In fact, there are plenty of fun and exciting ways to nurture kids’ emotional wellbeing. In this article, we’ll be exploring how arts and crafts can be an invaluable resource in this regard.
Understanding emotional development in childhood
Let’s first understand what children’s “emotional development” actually involves.The initial phase, emotional development in infancy, revolves around recognising primary emotions such as joy, anger, and sadness. As children grow, their emotional comprehension becomes more attuned, and they are able to understand a mix of secondary emotions like jealousy, pride, and shame. The more a child develops their emotional understanding, the better equipped they are to regulate their own emotions and understand the emotions of others.
We can support our children’s emotional development in many ways...
a) By providing a supportive and nurturing environment, one in which we acknowledge and guide them through emotions that are new and/or difficult to regulate.
b) By not casting judgement on any emotions that our children are experiencing.
c) By helping them to understand whether their emotion is proportional to the event, and how (if necessary) they can process it.
How arts and crafts benefit children’s emotional development
It is well known that arts and crafts can be hugely beneficial in child development. Aside from the honing of motor skills, they can also help to foster emotional growth. This is because the simple act of creating something provides children with a medium to express, understand, and regulate their feelings.
1. Expression: giving emotions a voice
Children, especially in their younger years, may not always possess the vocabulary to articulate their feelings. Here, arts and crafts step in as a bridge. A swirl of blue might depict sadness, a burst of red could channel anger, while sunny yellows might capture happiness. Through paintings, sculptures, or constructed crafts, children can find a voice for their emotions.
2. Understanding: reflecting on the inner world
Art often serves as a mirror reflecting a child's inner emotional world. When children engage in craft activities, they often subconsciously project their feelings. For instance, a child drawing repeated patterns of rain might be going through a phase of sadness or reflecting on a recent disappointment. Observing and discussing these art pieces can help caregivers and educators gain insights into a child's emotional state, which helps to facilitate timely interventions or support when necessary.
3. Regulation: the catharsis of creativity
Whether it’s the rhythmic strokes of painting, the focus required when cutting and sticking, or the imaginative play sparked by a sock puppet, craft activities can be extremely therapeutic for kids (and grown-ups too). Engaging in arts and crafts can soothe anxiety, manage stress, and help youngsters to regain control when experiencing overwhelming emotions. Crafting can also be an effective coping mechanism when agitated or upset, providing children with a safe space to calm their minds and regain emotional equilibrium.
4. Empathy: crafting a community
Group arts and crafts projects can serve as platforms for collective storytelling and creativity. Whether creating crafts with friends, siblings, classmates or as part of a wider group, the communal nature of these crafting experiences prompts children to share resources, share the story behind their creations, and listen to the thoughts and ideas of others. When crafting together, kids are encouraged to foster a sense of empathy, teaching them to understand and respect feelings and ideas that are sometimes different from their own.
toucanBox crafts for emotional growth
At toucanbox, we appreciate the profound benefits crafting has for children — our crafts are curated by experts to have a positive impact on children’s mental wellbeing. To help you choose an emotionally enriching experience, we’ve picked our top three favourites…
1. Postcard Prints:
Creating a handmade postcard for someone special encourages children to practise communication and compassion. Once the paint has dried and the message is written, the recipient will treasure their postcard as an emotional snippet of a child's world. A first class way to encourage kids to engage with their own emotions and the emotions of others!
2. Shadow Forest Theatre:
This craft not only fuels creativity but encourages storytelling — a powerful tool in understanding and expressing emotions. Children practise empathy through creating characters, role-playing various emotional scenarios, and exploring potential resolutions to interpersonal challenges. This magical craft features fire-breathing dragons and enchanted deer puppets, teaching little ones to relate to those who are maybe very different from themselves! 
3. Space puppets:
This craft sparks cosmic creativity! When role-playing with these puppets, children develop vital skills like empathy and attentiveness. The aliens can prompt discussions about differences, and how it’s important to embrace and celebrate what makes us unique.
Embark on an emotional journey with toucanBox
Supporting and shaping children’s emotional development is a huge responsibility, and experts agree that consistency is key. Fortunately, toucanBox is here to make that super simple (as well as lots of fun)!
Our monthly wellbeing-boosting crafts are delivered directly through your letterbox, with all the materials your little one needs to express themselves!
Ready to laugh, learn, and play? Visit our shop or begin your toucanBox subscription to craft happy memories together, one masterpiece at a time!
