Children in kindergarten are developing hand-eye coordination. Art allows the child to help strengthen that skill. The child can paint, draw or color a picture of family, the future, a wish or goal. This allows the student to use imagination and come up with something unique. It also gives the child a sense of accomplishment as there is a tangible product to show for her efforts.
Crafts share many of the same strengths as arts, but are more interactive and versatile. Students can engage in crafts using various materials to create a picture or make something. The teacher can use different materials, like things found outdoors to have the students make a themed craft project. The teacher can also tie the craft into a lesson plan. In this case, the teacher can have each student identify the type of leaf attached to his craft board. Another fun craft project is to have the student draw an outline of her hand and decorate it with materials, colors and photos that represent her. It is also common to have macaroni crafts. The students either string a thread through macaroni to create a necklace or can glue it to a paper to form patterns and images.
Most kindergarten classrooms have a library. The students can each select a book, read it and then present the book to the class; giving a review. This helps students practice reading skills and cognition. The student has to summarize information and also formulate her own opinion. She learns to speak in front of others and how to be a respectful audience member.
Creative storytelling forces the child to really stretch the limits of his imagination. Have the students prepare a short story, if the skill level is advanced enough the students can write a story down or can simply present the story to the class.