Kids DIY crafts are a hot item and I can totally relate. There was nothing I liked better to receive on a birthday as a child than a “project box.” I felt a little like being in the middle of a sewing bee as my little girl friends reached for Alex Toys’ “Simply Needlepoint” kit and started to unravel the yarn and thread the needle. There was sweet conversation as they started to experiment with stitches and make the “LOVE” design of bright neon colors. In many years of delivering speech therapy with kids, I’ve found that some kids talk more when their hands are moving. Not an obvious language enhancing toy, an art project that can be shared or simply enjoyed with a friend can prove to be an excellent opportunity for kids to engage in social language, building important skills for conversation and connecting, and friendship.
