Charlotte Mason said learning was education in “books and things.” The books, of course, were living. The things were what today we call “hands-on acitivities.” With handicrafts Miss Mason saw a deeper intent than mere busy work or craft sets purchased at Walmart:

 ”… the human hand is a wonderful and exquisite instrument to be used in a hundred movements exacting delicacy, direction and force; every such movement is a cause of joy as it leads to the pleasure of execution and the triumph of success. We begin to understand this and make some efforts to train the young in the deft handling of tools and the practice of handicrafts. Some day, perhaps, we shall see apprenticeship to trades revived, and good and beautiful work enforced.”

~ Towards a Philosophy of Education, p. 328.

The Handicrafts best fitted for children under nine seem to me to be chair-caning, carton-work, basket-work, Smyrna rugs, Japanese curtains, carving in cork, samplers on coarse canvas showing a variety of stitches, easy needlework, knitting (big needles and wool), etc. The points to be borne in mind in children’s handicrafts are: (a) that they should not be employed in making futilities such as pea and stick work, paper mats, and the like; (b) that they should be taught slowly and carefully what they are to do; (c) that slipshod work should not be allowed; (d) and that, therefore, the children’s work should be kept well within their compass.

~Home Education, p. 315.

I encourage you to include handicrafts in your homeschool, if you do not already.

Four things to remember when doing handcrafts with your children:

• “The children (ought) not be engaged in making futilities such as pea and stick work, paper mats and the like.” In other words, let the handicraft be meaningful and useful, not a throw-it-away-when-you’re-done project.
• Teach slowly and carefully what to do.
• Do not allow slipshod work but aim for the habit of perfect execution.
• Structure the work so that it is well within the ability of the child so she may experience the pleasure of perfect execution.

“..handicrafts should be pressed into service for the training of the eye and hand…” Home Education, preface.

Suggestions for Handicrafts (Google any of these below to find free and inexpensive directions)

Young children

Sewing cards : Materials–Card stock, single hole punch, large blunt needle, yarn. Instructions:  Draw simple picture on card. Punch holes to sew. Simple knitting and crochet projects. Boys should be encouraged to do this as well. (www.lionbrand.com or www.spottedcanary.com). Clay modeling, especially good for hand-eye coordination.

Older children

Here are just a few…. Leatherwork, Stained glass, Weaving, Sewing, Woodworking, Wood burning, Cooking, Scrapbooking, Quilling, Quilting, Knotting, Survival skills, Macramé, Knife making, Model building, and Boat building.

Here is a delightful handicraft: Felted Pencil Case

Tell us what handicrafts you do in your homeschool?