Creative Kids
Cultivating creativity is a prime goal of the "Crafts" pages in Highlights.
"Creativity is important for a child's intellectual and emotional growth," says Associate Editor Joëlle Kirkland, who edits the crafts pages. "Readers can always go to the magazine's crafts pages for a creative outlet."
The crafts can be made as shown, but kids don't have to create something that looks exactly like the sample craft in the magazine.
Kids develop confidence as they create, moving from the examples shown to their own ideas. Featured are crafts that a child can make by himself, without a lot of help from an adult.
"Kids find it satisfying to see their own ideas in a piece of work," Kirkland says. "As they create, kids are developing independence and an ability to make choices."
The crafts can be made with items commonly found around the home. Among them are recyclable materials that otherwise might be thrown away. Recyclables suggested in the September issue include Styrofoam trays, cereal boxes, and bottle caps.
The editors also try to select some crafts that will lead to another activity. Ideas in this issue include a dancing-bird puppet that a child can make and then use to put on a show. Another project is a table-croquet game that a child can create and then play with friends or family.
And the idea of making prints from Styrofoam trays could lead a child to come up with dozens of designs.
The crafts pages sometimes include ideas from kids. The September issue features crafts from readers for earrings for nonpierced ears and a fancy pen that is great for gift giving.
With creative thinking in mind, the editors also include a "Craft Challenge." In the September 2006 issue, kids were encouraged to "Create a model park with cardboard, felt, pebbles, twigs, and string."
