Reasons Cookie Cutter Crafts May Not Be The Best?

**daycare** · 03-01-2011, 09:48 AM

I just did the same exact thing.... I really dislike MGT crafts.... What I did was just stretch out the box over 2.5 months instead of one month. I plan other things for the rest of our day and the kids seem to like it better too.

**melskids** · 03-01-2011, 09:56 AM

i basically told the parents that i wanted to encourage the children to do things more for themselves, and for them to feel capable and proud of what they can create. when i give them a "model" to copy, they feel they have to live up to "my" expectations, and are disappointed in themselves when they don't "do it right". art isnt supposed to be about "doing it right", its about freedom of expression...to me anyway.

and that is, of course, JMO

**Zoe** · 03-01-2011, 10:01 AM

I tried Carol's Curriculum for 2 months before finding out how mundane and "cookie cutter" as you call it the projects were. Plus I was finding out that I really enjoyed putting together my own lessons and projects. Both the kids and I are having more fun coming up with stuff on our own.

On short weeks, I have a break in the letters/numbers/shapes lessons and have a "creative week" where I put out certain art supplies and let the kids enjoy. I don't tell them what to make (which has been difficult for some, but they're getting the hang of it). I find that they're much more proud of those projects than the ones where I tell them what to do.

**Jewels** · 03-01-2011, 10:12 AM

I dont know I dont think they they all have to be identical, I have done a few different pakaged curriculums, and the crafts are really designed for kids 3 and up, and my 3 and 4 year olds all look different, they are all unique to themselves, we do plenty of "heres a bunch of stuff, do what you like" but the "cookie cutter ones are nice to tie into a theme, if were doing a bird and an egg, yes they get the cut outs, but they paint it and decorate it however they want, I don't think just because you have a cut out shape, it doesn';t leave any room for imagination, its just a bird craft, and not even I am talented enough to draw and cut my own bird out.........I always add my own stuff in, glitter, sequins, pom poms....I'm all for creating your own, but I think its not right to say, they have no room for unique expression .with the pakaged, I believe all through school they are going to be doing the exact same thing. Like I said I am all for making you own child driven curriculum, I think thats great, so I'm not trying to start an argument, I just disagree that theres no creativity involved, just today my son spent 1 1/2 hours decorating his cookie cutter craft, and it sure doesn't look like the kids next to him. But I do, do my own days, where like I said I just put a ton of stuff out, and let them do whatever they want, I think its a good combo of the two, I think they like making their own things, but also thoroughly enjoy, having an actual xmas tree they decorated to bring home(for example)

**melskids** · 03-01-2011, 11:38 AM

i'm not one to debate on this forum, and we are all entitled to our own opinion.

and i love everyone here for the simple fact that we all do have different opinions.

that being said....and please dont take offense.....

even if they are allowed to decorate the bird cut out their own way, you are still giving them a "bird" and telling them it is a "bird". creative expression is about allowing them to create what they want to, how they want to, and when they want to .

personally, and this is just me....if we were learning about birds, i would put pictures and books out that had birds in them for the chidren to reference. then all of the mediums would be out for the children to explore and create a bird with, if they so choose. (paint, crayon/paper, clay, etc.)

no two projects on the wall should look the same. when the parents come in and look at my bulletin board and go "huh?", then i know i did my job

i am also not 100% against "cookie cutter" crafts. but thats just it, they are "crafts", not "Art". there is a difference.

JMO, of course

**jen** · 03-01-2011, 11:44 AM

I discontinued MGT for the same reasons you are stating. I just let them know that I thought that some of concepts were too difficult...for example, I think we were on the bug theme and MGT was discussing the thorax...uhhh really? I'm pretty happy when they come up with bug! LOL!

I also let them know that I would prefer it if the kids did more open ended projects that were a reflection of their creativity rather than the product of my "help."

Everyone understood and appreciated my opinion...

**countrymom** · 03-01-2011, 11:48 AM

I do both, when we don't do a cookie craft, the kids have free rein to the art caddy. Today they were into cutting paper with my decorative siccors and gluing puff balls. I also took out these sun visors and let them decorate them with the peel puffy things. I usually let the kids do what they want, but then we do things that are cookie cutter. I think kids need variety.

**MommyMuffin** · 03-01-2011, 11:53 AM

Today was my first day with MGT. My 2.5 yo and I both loved it. If I showed then pictures of birds and gave them art supplies they would do nothing. The fact that there are "cookie cutter" projects is great for me because I am not creative and love instructions. But although it has been awesome for me I can see how it would not be great for some.

It is your business and you can pick how you do the curriculum. Just write what you told us. The only thing is, if I were a parent and my child had art projects and fun facts to share when I picked up and then all of a sudden I hadnt seen a project in a few weeks I would start to think you just didnt want the work of a curriculum. Not saying this is what you want just saying what I would assume if I were a parent.

**Jewels** · 03-01-2011, 12:55 PM

Some art should be crafted to look like something, alot of these cookie cutter crafts are fun, and they end up being things they can play with, last month we made finger puppet little pigs, they got to cut them, and decorate them, and then put them on their fingers to sing the little pig nursery rhyme, they played with those all day, and they are still on my sons bed, open ended art is great, and all children need it, freedom of expression, but doing A craft and following the directions is also learning, and its still fun for them, my kids think the crafts are so fun, and whenever we have a painting craft for instance when they are done, the older kids continue onto something else, they lovwe doing both, they love showing mom their pigs and their own painting, I can remember being a child, and I was never a creative person, so I always loved the crafted projects my whole childhood. all through school. They are not bad,

**daycare** · 03-01-2011, 01:18 PM

for most kids, art is the process, not the product... they couldnt care less what their project looked like when it is done. what matters is the process of doing it.

my son is a perfect example of a child who does not do well with the cookie cutter projects... we did the little pigs.... however, he cut them up into pieces, glued them to paper, painted every color of paint until it turned black and then put some cotton balls, glittler and beads on it... he called it a pig rolling in the mud... but it looked like a pile of scrap pieces... this is his vision, his idea and he is very proud of it, just like I am..

Now on the otherhand, there are a few kids tha I have that look at the craft and say I want the pig to look just like the instructions.. they play with it for the moment, but soon to lose interest in it... they never really get their creative side out like my son did... i dont like cookie cutter projects..

we still use mother goose time, but we dont follow the instructions most of the time and make our own art out of it...

**melskids** · 03-01-2011, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by Jewels

Some art should be crafted to look like something, alot of these cookie cutter crafts are fun, and they end up being things they can play with, last month we made finger puppet little pigs, they got to cut them, and decorate them, and then put them on their fingers to sing the little pig nursery rhyme, they played with those all day, and they are still on my sons bed, open ended art is great, and all children need it, freedom of expression, but doing A craft and following the directions is also learning, and its still fun for them, my kids think the crafts are so fun, and whenever we have a painting craft for instance when they are done, the older kids continue onto something else, they lovwe doing both, they love showing mom their pigs and their own painting, I can remember being a child, and I was never a creative person, so I always loved the crafted projects my whole childhood. all through school. They are not bad,

could you imagine telling this to Picasso or Da Vinci?

"crafts" are not bad, of course. yes, they get fine motor skills and learn from following directions, and they are fun. my SA love the craft sets from oriental trading, and they sure help keep them busy!!!!

i love making crafts myself, to give as gifts and sell at craft fairs. my 8 yr old sons' favorite gifts are craft kits from Michaels.

all i'm saying is there is a difference between crafts and creative process-art.

**Jewels** · 03-01-2011, 02:50 PM

Oh and I said the same thing, there is a difference, I was just arguing the point that cookie cutter crafts are not bad. But I will always add free art into my pakaged curriculum, I do not follow my curriculum to a T, I add and take away quite a bit of stuff.

**Jewels** · 03-01-2011, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by daycare

for most kids, art is the process, not the product... they couldnt care less what their project looked like when it is done. what matters is the process of doing it.

my son is a perfect example of a child who does not do well with the cookie cutter projects... we did the little pigs.... however, he cut them up into pieces, glued them to paper, painted every color of paint until it turned black and then put some cotton balls, glittler and beads on it... he called it a pig rolling in the mud... but it looked like a pile of scrap pieces... this is his vision, his idea and he is very proud of it, just like I am..

Now on the otherhand, there are a few kids tha I have that look at the craft and say I want the pig to look just like the instructions.. they play with it for the moment, but soon to lose interest in it... they never really get their creative side out like my son did... i dont like cookie cutter projects..

we still use mother goose time, but we dont follow the instructions most of the time and make our own art out of it...

I have never laid the instructions for MGT out for the children, I have children that cut the projects into pieces, generally my 2 year olds, and I don't care what they do with their projects, I just give them the stuff, and I give them and example of what it could be, and then let them have fun, the 4 year old I have, love to make the actual projects, the 2 year old, just cut a glue, and make a mess, they are free to do what they like with their materials, and theres always a pile of paper next to the table to take and draw or add in,but the 4 year old, love doing whats meant to be done. thats why I think these crafts are more for 3-4 and up. the three and unders I don't even explain things, I guide their scissors, and help only if they need help, and I never do anyones project for them.

**Symphony** · 03-01-2011, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by melskids

i'm not one to debate on this forum, and we are all entitled to our own opinion.

and i love everyone here for the simple fact that we all do have different opinions.

that being said....and please dont take offense.....

even if they are allowed to decorate the bird cut out their own way, you are still giving them a "bird" and telling them it is a "bird". creative expression is about allowing them to create what they want to, how they want to, and when they want to .

personally, and this is just me....if we were learning about birds, i would put pictures and books out that had birds in them for the chidren to reference. then all of the mediums would be out for the children to explore and create a bird with, if they so choose. (paint, crayon/paper, clay, etc.)

no two projects on the wall should look the same. when the parents come in and look at my bulletin board and go "huh?", then i know i did my job

i am also not 100% against "cookie cutter" crafts. but thats just it, they are "crafts", not "Art". there is a difference.

JMO, of course

This is how I feel too. We did a bird week here and we painted using feathers instead of brushes, we made bird feeders, we had bird seed in the sensory table, we made "dirt and worms" for snack. All of these were hands on experiences that put the emphasis on process, not product. I do a daily blog so my parents can see pictures of their kids doing the activities and I always label the art they take home. I think this helps.

We do make more cookie cutter crafts around holidays and when we are making Christmas/Mother's Day/Father's Day gifts. I thin these are the times parents want to see a little more of a finished product. There are some days when I don't think the kids gain a darn thing from those projects though, but for whatever reason the parents love it.

Reasons Cookie Cutter Crafts May Not Be The Best?

Reasons Cookie Cutter Crafts May Not Be The Best?

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