Christine M. Todd, Ph.D.
Child Development Specialist
Human Development and Family Studies
University of Illinois Cooperative Extension
Copyright/Access Information
Art and craft activities are two of the most common activities
found in educational and child care settings.
Activities like painting, drawing, or working with clay introduce
children to basic art concepts. They also promote exploration,
creativity, and expression of emotion. Because art activities
do not require the creation of a specific product, they can be
used with children of all ages. In contrast, craft activities,
like making bird houses, flower baskets or embroidery from kits,
usually require that the child make something according to a model.
Crafts can help children to develop specific abilities, such as
being able to hammer a nail correctly, or sewing with proper tension.
They also help children to evaluate their project against a standard.
Because children do not develop the mental or physical abilities
needed to achieve these goals until the later elementary years,
craft activities are usually most successful with older children.
While art and craft activities may differ in some ways, they do
have one thing in common - both may use materials that could pose
a serious health threat to children and adults. Some types of
paint, glue, model materials, and solvents may contain substances
that have been shown to produce cancer, organ and tissue damage,
mental retardation, and other serious health problems. Anyone
who offers art activities to young children needs to be aware
of these potential hazards.
Many art materials have been designed and tested for adults. Unfortunately,
children's bodies may be more sensitive to these substances, and
they might use these materials in ways that adults don't (e.g.,
putting things in their mouths).
Children tend to be active and curious. They have less well-developed
fine motor skills and often do not understand the potential danger
presented by an activity. As a result, children may spill supplies,
or get them on themselves or others. This can increase the risk
of harmful exposure. Children may also put their fingers in their
mouths, or suck their thumbs after having their hands in the materials.
While this is more common in children under five, nail-biting
continues well into the school years.
Children's bodies are not as strong or as fully developed as adult
bodies. Therefore, they are more sensitive to poisonous substances,
like lead, especially if eaten. Children also tend to breathe
faster than adults and often breathe through their mouths instead
of their noses. As a result, they might breathe in more of a poisonous
substance than an adult would. Their air passages also tend to
be narrower than adults' which make them more sensitive to irritation
by chemicals.
Because children may be especially sensitive to the effects of
art and craft materials, providers should carefully examine the
materials provided. Listed below are ways to reduce the risks
to children.
More information on this topic can be found in *Children's
Art Hazards* by Lauren Jacobson, National Resources Defense
Council, 122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168, or by contacting
the Art Hazards Information Center (212) 227-6220, the National
Art Education Association (703) 860-8000, or the Consumer Product
Safety Commission (301) 492-6800.