Where they are:
Toddlers are highly curious and eager to engage in their environment. Sensory activities like finger painting, playing with clay and exploring different textures can help them learn about the world around them. As children grow, they become more interested in experimenting with a variety of art materials, mixing colours and creating abstract forms to explore their creativity freely. Older preschoolers might begin to create drawings, paintings or sculptures that tell a story or represent imaginary worlds.
At Gymboree Play and Music, our arts and crafts class provides a nurturing environment where children can explore various mediums, textures and ways to express themselves. We design activities that cater to your child’s developmental stage, encouraging your little one’s natural curiosity and creativity while supporting their physical, cognitive and emotional growth.
What to expect in class:
Our Gymboree Family Arts and Crafts classes offer a wonderful opportunity for parents or carers to share in their child’s creative journey and build a closer bond through the joy of art. In our classes, there is no right or wrong way to create art, making it a fun and healthy activity for the whole family to enjoy together. The tactile nature and the enjoyment of making art not only helps children develop essential skills but also creates lasting emotional connections.
Sculpt with a giant block of clay, design a family tree, paint a mural or make a creation of your own with our themed craft projects. Join us and watch your little one’s creativity flourish in a supportive environment that celebrates individual expression and collective joy.
Benefits:
Physical: Working with different textures allows your little one to explore various sensations through touch and sight. Whether it’s the squishiness of clay or the smoothness of paint, these experiences refine their sensory skills. Activities like sculpting, painting and crafting require precise hand movements and manipulation of small objects. This strengthens the muscles in their hands and fingers, improving dexterity and control.
Many of our activities involve hand-eye coordination, as your child coordinates their hand movements with what they see. Whether shaping clay or painting a picture, these tasks require precise coordination between the eyes and hands. Practising hand-eye coordination through art helps develop spatial awareness, depth perception and visual-motor integration skills. Through these activities, your child not only explores their creativity but also strengthens their physical abilities in a fun and engaging way.
Cognitive: Our classes encourage imaginative thinking by providing opportunities for your child to explore different art mediums and express themselves freely. Through storytelling, creating imaginary worlds and bringing their ideas to life through art, they expand their imagination and creativity.
Engaging with various art materials and projects also encourages problem-solving abilities. Whether figuring out how to construct a sculpture or deciding which colours to use in a painting, these activities challenge your little one to think creatively and find solutions.
Social: Creating art provides your child with an outlet to express themselves, even before they have the verbal capacity to do so. Through their artwork, they can communicate their feelings, thoughts and experiences, building confidence in their abilities to express themselves creatively.
Working with other children in a shared space helps your little one learn to collaborate and work as a team. Collaborative projects encourage them to share ideas, materials and experiences with their peers. Through these shared art experiences, your child learns to understand and appreciate different perspectives and ideas, promoting empathy and understanding.
Adults: Our arts and crafts classes provide a wonderful opportunity for you to spend uninterrupted time with your little one. Watching your child create and play in our classes is a joyous experience. You’ll have the opportunity to observe their imagination at work, see their unique artistic expressions and marvel at their creativity. As you engage in creative activities together, you can bond, share experiences and create lasting memories.
Participating in arts and crafts can be a relaxing and therapeutic experience for adults. It offers a break from the demands of everyday life, allowing you to unwind, de-stress and focus on the present moment as you connect with your child through creativity.