Paper Craft - Getting Started + Tips
Here’s a few tips for getting started on paper crafting (or any handicraft!) plus links to supplies to get you started:
Tips:
Start with something you feel comfortable with - a craft you’re familiar with or something very simple. The CMEC Kinderleben paper crafting that we’re following the first term requires only paper, scissors, and glue sticks.
Keep all your supplies and supplementary materials (diagrams, plans) in a small, lidded bin you can pull out quickly and not have to hunt for supplies.
If you work with your child, show them your mistakes so they don’t get discouraged by any disparity in quality between your work and theirs.
Have a goal! Tell your children when you will use their handicrafts - to decorate for a party or holiday, to give as gifts, etc. This gives them purpose and shows them you have faith in the product they will produce.
Links to our supplies:
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Origami Paper - Has a large variety of really bright, beautiful colors and folds easily.
Children's Scissors - I like these rounded scissors for young children. I particularly like that these come with a sheath to keep the scissors in, which is a physical reminder to the children that this is a tool we must be careful with. I like everyone to have their own pair of scissors rather than sharing, it makes for a more pleasant crafting experience since everyone can really get into a flow and not be waiting on supplies.
Glue Sticks - I like these purple disappearing glue sticks because the child can easily see where they’ve applied the glue. It is properly sticky and cleans up well. Again, I recommend one glue stick per crafter to allow everyone to get into flow.
Resources:
We’re members of the CMEC, so we’re following along with the Paper Cutting and Folding course. This is under Handicrafts -> Kinderleben. They have diagrams and videos.
If you’re working at home, there’s a variety of books that you can choose from. We’ve used books like Cutting and Pasting and Kumon Cutting to practice when the kids were younger. These are great because you don’t even need the paper - just scissors and glue. They usually have really cute little designs in there that are then toys the kids can play with. I definitely recommend these if your children are interested in cutting or need practice with this skill and you want an easy entry point.
