5 Reasons Why Arts & Crafts Are Crucial For Early Development

Dinosaurs and unicorns are alive. Superheroes and insects work together to fight evil. Yep, you heard that right! Welcome to the world of arts and crafts – a magical world where children can put on their capes of creativity and curiosity, unlocking the secrets of their own potential. Arts and Crafts are the forefront of development and growth in young children. From open-ended creative expression to cognitive enhancement, arts and crafts truly impact young minds more than we might expect. Let’s explore five benefits that arts and crafts unlock.

Fine Motor Skill Development

Painting, drawing, cutting, and pasting may seem like simple, mundane activities, but they play a crucial role in developing fine motor skills. These activities require precise movements and coordination, which help children refine their hand-eye coordination and dexterity. As they work with various art mediums, they strengthen their muscles in their hands and fingers, laying the groundwork for future tasks like writing. Take a look at one of our new products that aids fine motor skill development in a big way:

Imagination and Creativity

One of the most significant benefits of arts and crafts learning is gaining the ability to ignite and nurture imagination from a creative point of view. Whether it’s molding clay into mythical creatures or using craft sticks to tell stories of ancient kings and queens, crafts encourage children to think out of the box and explore their creative abilities. This freedom sets children on a trajectory for future success in creative roles and professions. Here is our recommendation for products that enhance imagination and creativity:

Cognitive Development

Engaging in arts and crafts activities stimulates various cognitive functions in children. As children explore possibilities through color, they engage in a wide range of cognitive processes from selecting hues to blending shades to recalling memories evoked by colors. These cognitive processes are not limited to the realm of colors alone; they extend to activities like building structures with blocks or piecing together puzzles, where children combine spatial reasoning and critical thinking together to bring their ideas to life. Through these immersive experiences, children not only develop their artistic abilities but also strengthen essential cognitive functions, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning and growth.

 Expression and Communication

Not only do arts and crafts provide children with freedom of creative expression, but they also provide a non-verbal outlet through self-expression. By exploring colors, shapes, and textures, they can convert their feelings, thoughts, and experiences into expressions. This form of artistic expression is especially beneficial for those who may find it hard to communicate their feelings verbally. By engaging in creative activities, children learn to express themselves in alternative ways, fostering emotional intelligence and communication skills. Art can also serve as a calming and therapeutic activity, helping children manage stress and anxiety. The process of creating art allows them to channel their feelings constructively and develop resilience when facing challenging situations.

Social Skills and Collaboration

Learning how to work with others is a crucial developmental skill that will be used throughout a lifetime. In fact, more that 50% of people say their jobs require collaboration with one another and 75% of employees rate team work as being crucial in the workplace. Arts and crafts often involve collaboration and social interaction, whether it’s contributing to a group project or sharing ideas and materials with peers. These interactions teach children key social skills like sharing, voicing your opinion, taking turns, and cooperating towards a common goal. They learn to respect diverse perspectives, communicate effectively, and work as part of a team, which are essential skills for navigating social relationships in the future.

Incorporating arts and crafts at an early age is more than just a recreational activity – it’s a powerful tool for holistic development. From honing in on fine motor skills and cognitive development to gaining emotional intelligence and social competence, the benefits are far-reaching and long-lasting. By providing opportunities for creative expression and exploration, we empower children to unlock their full potential and become confident and independent individuals. Let’s nurture their creativity, one masterpiece at a time!

Why STEAM Toys Matter

We’ve got the secret that all parents are looking for. STEAM toys. No, not toys that produce steam, but the acronym STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Parents are wanting them, and educators are pushing them. In a world now dominated by social media and gruesome video games, the yearn for real hands-on learning toys has become a must-have for parents, and rightfully so. These toys, designed to engage children in the five category disciplines listed above, are gaining major recognition for their profound impact on fine motor skill and cognitive development at every age. Let’s explore the importance of fostering STEAM toys into play.

Numbers, please!:

Yes, we get it. Where’s the truth without numbers? Our good friends over at The Toy Association have put together a fabulous White Page STEAM Toy summary with all the stats parents need to hop on the STEAM train. We’ll just summarize a few of those facts here:

  • 67% of parents believe that STEM/STEAM toys are the best way to push science, technology, engineering, and math skills in their child(ren).
  • 82% of parents acknowledge they look for ways to encourage learning in their child’s play
  • Screen time for children averages 3 ½ hours per day.
  • 9 out of 10 parents believe it’s important for their child(ren) to foster STEM/STEAM skills for further development.

All data gathered from The Toy Association, 2019.

Encourage a Love for Learning:

Out with the old and in with the new – STEAM toys turn learning into a fun and engaging trial-and-error adventure. They also encourage open-ended play – a valuable criterion that teaches every way to play is the right way. By merging play with education, children view learning as enjoyable with a yearn for further exploration.  Children are naturally curious, and STEAM toys harness that curiosity and ignite a passion for knowledge.

Develop Must-Have Critical Thinking Skills:

Critical thinking skills are the core of our everyday activities and successes. STEAM toys challenge children to solve problems, make decisions, and think from a creative point of view (just like every skill requirement listed on a college application or a job listing). Whether constructing a building made from early engineering blocks or testing out different color combinations in an art project, introducing analytical thinking and problem-solving skills at a young age is crucial for future development.

Learning There’s No I in Team:

Teamwork projects are the forefront of every class or work project – we function in teams. Many STEAM toys are designed to encourage collaboration and learning how to understand other points of view, which can be difficult at a young age. Working on a project together also teaches valuable social skills that can be masked by social media usage. Learning teamwork, social, and problem-solving skills?

To wrap it all up, STEAM toys are much more than playthings – they are the catalysts for a love of learning and exploration. By introducing STEAM early on, we empower young children to become revolutionized critical thinkers, collaborators, and innovators. So, what are you waiting for? Hop on the STEAM toy train today! As we say at Roylco, let’s build tomorrow’s generation together.

Unleash Your Creativity: Crafting Adventures with Paper!

Paper, the unsung hero of crafting materials, is like a versatile superhero ready for action! Dive headfirst into the world of crafting fun as we unravel the ABCs of crafting skills and share some nifty tips to kickstart your creative journey. Let the paper party begin! 🎉

  1. Versatility Unleashed: Paper is more than just a plain canvas; it’s a chameleon that can transform into a multitude of creative wonders. From origami masterpieces to intricate paper-cut art, its versatility knows no bounds. Embrace the endless possibilities and let your imagination run wild.
  2. Crafting ABCs: Every superhero needs a set of skills, and crafting with paper is no different. Discover the basics of folding, cutting, and shaping to unlock your crafting potential. The ABCs of crafting skills are your gateway to creating stunning paper creations effortlessly.
  3. Tips and Tricks to Elevate Your Craft: Elevate your crafting game with some nifty tips and tricks. Want to add texture to your paper projects? Try crumpling the paper before crafting. Looking for precision in your cuts? Invest in a quality pair of crafting scissors. These small but mighty tips will make a significant difference in your paper crafting endeavors.
  4. Paper Party Inspiration: Gather your crafting supplies, invite your friends, and let the paper party begin! Organize a crafting session where everyone explores the wonders of paper. Share ideas, swap tips, and marvel at the unique creations that unfold during your crafting extravaganza.
  5. Show and Tell: Showcase your paper masterpieces! Whether it’s a hand-folded origami menagerie or a meticulously crafted paper collage, let your creativity shine. Share your creations on social media with the hashtag #CraftingWithPaper to inspire others and join the vibrant community of paper craft enthusiasts.

In the realm of crafting, paper stands tall as the superhero material, ready to embark on creative adventures with you. Uncover the ABCs of crafting skills, implement some handy tips, and let the paper party commence! 🎉 Embrace the versatility of paper, and watch as your crafting endeavors soar to new heights. Happy crafting!

Roylco is now well on it’s way towards FSC paper compliance! Follow along to track our process.

Dream Catcher

New ideas for Craft! Create your own beautiful modern style Dream Catcher using our R42280, release stress and relieve yourself. Learn how to create these dream catchers and add a wonderful touch to your home.

Age: 4+

Duration: 20 Minutes

Learning Objectives:  Decorate the thick cardboard hoops with markers, paint or crayons before threading the string through the pre-punched holes. Use our stringing suggestions or ask students to invent their own patterns. Don’t forget to decorate the included card feathers.

You’ll Need:

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Take the cardboard dream catcher and pop out the cardboard hoop and feathers.

On the back side of Cardboard hoop, number the holes on the hoop from 1-12 and decorate the front with paint or color of your choice.

Once you are done, take the plastic needle and twine. Pass the twine through the needle.

Now, start threading the string through the pre-punched holes. Let’s Begin at hole #1. Pass the needle from the back of hoop no. 1 and now, pass it through hoop no. 8 form the front.

Follow this pattern: 1,8,3,10,5,12,7,2,9,4,11. (You can also make your own weaving patterns).

Keep following the pattern and once you reach at hoop no. 11, you’ll see a beautiful pattern. Now, Cut off the extra twine from both ends and tie at the back. Our Net is complete.

It’s time to decorate the feathers. Paint the cardboard feathers with the color of your choice and let it soak for few minutes. After 20-30 minutes, pop the feathers out.

Take the plastic needle again and thread the twine through the hole in the chipboard feather. We’ll use beads this time to get an attractive look. Pass the feather and beads through needle.

Add as many beads as you want in it and tie them to the hole no.#7. Repeat the same procedure and make three hanging strings.

Let’s decorate our dream catcher and give it an eye catching look. Use Our R15703 Hair Paper. It includes number of colors. Choose one of your choice and glue it at the back of Cardboard hoop.

Take a craft paper, pencil and scissor and draw this flower shape. Cut it off and start rolling it inwards. Glue it at the end. You’ll get a beautiful flower.

Follow the same steps and make some flowers of pink and green color and stick those on our dream catcher. Make some butterflies with craft paper and glue the butterflies on the net.
Our Dream Catcher is ready.

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Valentine’s Day: Pop Up Pivot Cards

Make your Valentine feel Special. Create your own Super Cute Valentine Card by using our New R51460 Pop Up Pivot Cards. Send a love note to all your friends and family members with this sweet Valentine’s Day card. The clever design is easy to assemble and fun to decorate. The three-dimensional message card unfolds and pivots as the card opens.

Age: 5+

Duration: 15-30 minutes

Learning Objectives: Makes a perfect take-home craft. Encourage creativity. Integrate art, literacy, and holiday activities. Exercise fine motor skills.

You’ll need:

This Craft Lesson is divided into three Parts:

  • The front card
  • The Pivot Mechanism
  • The Pop-Up Message Card

Let’s get started

There are three pieces to each card: the card, the pop-up message card and the pivot mechanism. Take all three and fold the card in half.

Now, start decorating the card. Take craft papers of different bright colors. Make some heart shapes (small and big) and cut those out. Once you get your heart shapes, glue the smaller hearts onto the bigger ones.

Glue all the heart shapes onto the front of Card. To make the cad looks attractive, glue the bigger shapes first and then the smaller ones. You will get a beautiful front.

Take the Pivot Mechanism. Fold it in half horizontally along the score line. Fold down and inside both the left and right wings.

Take the pop-up message card. Fold it in a zigzag fashion along the score line.

Now, apply glue to both the left lower and upper right flaps of the pivot mechanism. Unfold the message card and align both ends to the glued area of pivot mechanism.

Let’s decorate the message card, take a colored craft paper of your choice. Fold it in half and draw three heart shapes(just draw one sided hearts).

Cut out the heart shapes. Make two kissing emojis and one heart eyes emoji using black marker and small heart shapes. Glue the heart eyes emoji at the center of message card and kissing emojis on the left and right flaps.

Once you are done, apply glue within the indicator lines on the inside of the card and then apply glue to the top of the pivot mechanism. Fold the card shut.

It’s time to decorate the inside of card. Take a craft paper, fold it from center and draw one sided heart. Cut the heart shape out.

Then, take any couple’s picture. Start cutting the picture. Choose your spot from where to start and follow along the lines. Cut nicely around the couple and once you are done, glue it on the heart shape.

Glue the decorated heart on the upper side of card and draw any teddy or cartoon on the other side and fill it with some nice crayons or pencil colors. Your Valentines Card is ready.

Happy valentine’s Day!

Use these cards for Birthdays, Get Well Soon, Mother’s or Father’s Day.

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New Product Highlight: Dinosaur Unruly Rulers

Get ready for an art adventure! This set of 6 stencils is fun and useful. Use these Dinosaur Rulers to create your own Dinosaur. Trace around the stencil and add colors when finished.

Age: 3+

Duration: 15-20 minutes

Learning Objectives: Mix and match dinosaur elements to create unique prehistoric animals. Use colored pencils, markers and crayons to decorate your dinos. The simple designs are easy by a wide range of ages.

You’ll need:

  • Crayons, Pencil crayons or markers to design and decorate the dinos
  • Scissor
  • Glue Stick
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Take a stencil and place it onto a paper. Start tracing the interior edges to draw a perfect dinosaur.

Trace all the body parts starting from head to toe. Mix & match all the elements to give it a proper shape.

Finish the dinosaur shape off with a tail. Here you can see how well the patterns transfers onto the sheet.

Now, it’s time to give colors to this dinosaur. Start filling the shape with your preferred color of crayons and decorate it with your favorite color combination.

To make it more unique, cut out the dinosaur. Choose any picture or a piece of craft paper and glue it on it.

It’s a lot of fun for children to discover the different types of dinosaurs. Try all Dinosaur Rulers and make your own Dinosaur.

Please watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/VM-YXhzKXcw
Visit our website https://roylco.com/shop/dinosaur-unruly-rulers/ for more information.

New Product Highlight: Color Wheel Stencils

Create fun by encouraging students to create personal color wheels! We like this activity because it can be simple or complex, with a good balance between structure that guides students and open-ended fun that fosters creativity.

Age: 4+
Duration: 15-30 minutes

Here are few ideas on how to use them:

Idea 1: Get familiar with colors by keeping it simple.

What you’ll need:

LET”S GET STARTED

Take a wheel Stencil of your Choice. Put it onto a paper. Start filing up the inner edges with your choice of Color. To get an attractive look, try different colors. You can use Crayons, Markers or Pencil Colors. Once you are done, take off the stencil and see how beautifully the patterns get transfer to the sheet!

Idea 2: Take your color wheels up a notch by adding texture.

What you’ll need:

Take a Wheel Stencil and place it onto a white paper. Place one of our R48250 Rubbing Plate underneath the white paper. The twist starts from here. Fill the first wheel pattern with color of your choice. Once you are done, take that rubbing plate out and switch it with another rubbing plate. Fill up all the patterns by using as many rubbing plates you want and you’ll see the difference.

Idea 3: Take your color diffusing projects in a more structured direction by incorporating the color wheel.

You’ll need:

Take a R15212 Color diffusing Paper and place a wheel stencil over it. Outline the wheel patterns with a chalk or with a white crayon. Now, place the diffusing paper on a no mess tray. Take Our R54466 Junior Paint Spritzers, fill the bottle with liquid water color paint and spritz out a fine mist of color. Use different colors to create different effects.

Let us know how you choose to use your Color Wheel Stencils! Have fun and get creative!
Visit our website https://roylco.com/shop/color-wheel-stencils/ for more information.

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Product Spotlight: Holiday Color Diffusing Shapes

This month, we’re featuring two of our NEW products:

These color diffusing shapes help us get in the holiday spirit while simultaneously developing a deeper understanding of color. There are 3 easy ways to transform these shapes from A to B:

A. Plain Color Diffusing shapes–functional but still waiting for the magic to happen
B. Color Diffusing magic transformed the shapes into these beautiful works of art!

Method 1: Washable Marker & Water

This is the easiest method and the mess-free method. Simply use any washable marker to color the shape, and don’t worry about filling in all the white spaces! When you’re done, spray water on the shape and watch the colors diffuse and create secondary or even tertiary colors.

If you need a spray bottle for the water, we recommend Junior Paint Spritzers–they are perfect for small hands.

Method 2: Watercolor

Break out your trusty watercolor set and go to town! Because of the water used with the watercolor paint, the colors will diffuse throughout the paper as you paint. You can always add some extra water at the end and watch the colors diffuse even more. This is especially helpful if you’d like to make light or pastel designs.

Method 3: Liquid Watercolor & Water

This method creates the most impressive designs, IMHO. You can find liquid watercolors online or at your local craft store. Be careful because these paints can be POTENT! It takes quite a few washes to remove the paint from hands, but that is also what makes the designs so beautiful on Color Diffusing paper.

Simply use a spray bottle with the liquid watercolor to add splashes of color to your Color Diffusing shapes. Once you’re happy, spray the shapes with water and watch the colors blend!

If you need a spray bottle for the color or water, we recommend Junior Paint Spritzers–they are perfect for small hands.

Pro tip: Stick to primary colors! It’s easy to get carried away with color, but once they start diffusing, they have a tendency to blend into one, amorphous brown color if you get too complicated!


Try all 3 and let us know your favorite method!

If you like this, you’ll like Blots of Ornaments too! These ornaments have the added benefits of being cut out of extra thick, high-quality color diffusing paper so that they can be used as real ornaments on a tree or windowsill!

Craft Spotlight: Project Leaves with a Thanksgiving Turkey project!

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It’s never too early to start thinking about seasonal crafts for the classroom, no matter what time of year! Prepare for Thanksgiving with our true-to-life sized R51080 Project Leaves in a variety of colors and shapes. Use the Project Leaves to create the tail feathers and simple construction paper cutouts to make the turkey head and body. 

Project Leaves feature different colors on each side of the leaf shapes. You can use the shapes to talk about the changing seasons or adapt your fall science unit to include lessons about leaf identification.

Encourage students to engage with nature while appreciating the science behind it! Students can draw the veins within the leaf shapes to learn about leaf development. Trace out the shapes of the leaves onto sheets of paper, then cut them out and paste into a leaf collage!

Use leftover or traced Project Leaves to make a Thanksgiving turkey decoration! Learn more below.

Age: 4+

Duration: 10 minutes

Learning Objectives: Combine various leaf shapes together into a pleasing arrangement to make the turkey tail feathers. Use scissor skills to make a cut and paste project.

You’ll Need:

R51080 Project Leaves

• Gluestick

• Brown, orange and yellow construction paper

• Marker

• Scissors

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Celebrate Thanksgiving with a turkey decoration that all your students can take home!

P1010327Select 3-4 Project Leaves to make up the turkey’s tail feathers. Alternatively, you can trace the outline of the Project Leaves onto sheets of construction paper and cut them out. You’ll want to choose colors that work with the look of the craft.

P1010328Select the construction paper you will use to make the body. To save on construction paper, you can cut a sheet in half and divide between two students.

P1010330Fold the sheet in half lengthwise.

P1010331Draw a backwards B shape from the fold line. This will be the turkey’s body.

P1010332Cut along the drawn lines and unfold the resulting piece.

P1010333Next, pull out a light-sand colored sheet of construction paper.

P1010336Cut out a little turkey wattle and little turkey feet.

P1010337Finally, get a sheet of yellow construction paper. 

P1010338Cut out a turkey beak.

P1010340Paste the turkey beak, wattle and feet onto the turkey body.

P1010351Make your selection of Project Leaves for the turkey feathers.

P1010352Align two of the leaves together. You will need to angle them outwards.

P1010353Place the third leaf in the middle of the two leaves. This helps to round out the look.

P1010354Finish off with your decorative leaf shape. Place it right on top. Now you’ve easily layered the turkey back feathers!

P1010355Paste the turkey body on top of the leaf arrangement.

P1010356Paste the turkey features on top.

P1010357Finish off with eyes for your turkey. Draw them in with permanent marker or pen.

P1010358Now get ready for a big celebration! Paste the turkeys along a banner and hang up on a wall or arrange your turkeys in a Thanksgiving display!

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