Using Craft Activities with Children and Young People
This subtopic explores the therapeutic and developmental value of craft activities for children and young people in health and social care settings. Learners will investigate how crafts support creativity, fine motor skills, and emotional expression, while also covering essential safety and planning considerations. Practical application focuses on designing and delivering age-appropriate, inclusive craft sessions that promote engagement and learning.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The Ascentis Level 1 Award in Introduction to Health and Social Care provides a foundational understanding of the health and social care sector. This qualification covers essential topics such as the roles and responsibilities of care workers, the importance of communication, and the principles of safeguarding. It is designed for students who are new to the field and want to explore career opportunities in health and social care settings like care homes, hospitals, or community support services.
Studying this award helps students develop key skills such as empathy, teamwork, and effective communication, which are vital for working with vulnerable individuals. The course also introduces legal and ethical frameworks, including confidentiality and equality, ensuring students understand how to provide person-centred care. This knowledge is not only academically valuable but also practical for real-world care environments.
As part of the wider Health and Social Care curriculum, this award serves as a stepping stone to higher-level qualifications, such as the Level 2 Certificate or Diploma. It aligns with the UK's Care Certificate standards and prepares students for roles like care assistant or support worker. By mastering these basics, students build confidence and a strong ethical foundation for future study or employment in the sector.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Person-centred care: Treating each individual as unique, respecting their preferences, and involving them in decisions about their care.
- →Effective communication: Using verbal and non-verbal methods (e.g., active listening, body language) to build trust and understand needs.
- →Safeguarding: Protecting individuals from harm, abuse, or neglect, and knowing how to report concerns following organisational policies.
- →Confidentiality: Keeping personal information private unless there is a legal or safeguarding reason to share it (e.g., with a manager or social services).
- →Equality and diversity: Ensuring everyone receives fair treatment regardless of age, gender, disability, race, or religion, and promoting inclusive care.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Understand the uses of craft activities., Know appropriate craft techniques., Be able to recognise the safety factors in craft activities., Be able to plan a craft activity., Be able to carry out a craft activity
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for demonstrating an understanding of how craft activities can be used to promote fine motor development and creative expression.
- Expect learners to identify at least three appropriate craft techniques suitable for a given age group, with justification.
- Look for evidence of a comprehensive risk assessment that identifies potential hazards (e.g., scissors, glue, choking risks) and outlines control measures.
- Learners should submit a clear activity plan that includes aims, resources, step-by-step instructions, and adaptations for additional needs.
- Assessors should observe the learner conducting a craft activity safely, engaging children appropriately and responding to their needs.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡When planning, always link the activity to specific developmental benefits (e.g., improving hand-eye coordination) to show theoretical understanding.
- 💡Practice conducting a mock craft session with peers to receive feedback on your instructional style and safety management.
- 💡In assessments, be prepared to explain your choices of materials and techniques, and how you would modify the activity for different needs.
- 💡Review key health and safety legislation (such as COSHH) and be explicit about how it applies to your activity.
- 💡Use real-life examples: When answering questions about communication or safeguarding, refer to specific scenarios (e.g., a care worker noticing a bruise on a service user). This shows deeper understanding.
- 💡Link to legislation: Mention relevant laws like the Care Act 2014 or Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to demonstrate knowledge of legal responsibilities.
- 💡Define key terms: Always explain terms like 'dignity' or 'empowerment' in your own words before applying them to a case study.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Assuming all craft activities are universally suitable without considering age-appropriate adaptations or individual needs.
- Overlooking the importance of safety guidelines, such as using non-toxic materials and supervising sharp tools.
- Failing to plan for differentiation; for example, not providing alternatives for children with sensory sensitivities or physical disabilities.
- Focusing solely on the end product rather than the process, missing opportunities to support developmental outcomes.
- Misconception: Health and social care is only about elderly people. Correction: It covers all age groups, including children, adults with disabilities, and those with mental health needs.
- Misconception: Confidentiality means never sharing information. Correction: Information can be shared with consent or when required by law (e.g., to prevent harm).
- Misconception: Communication is just talking. Correction: It includes listening, observing, and using non-verbal cues like eye contact and facial expressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for ASCENTIS Using Craft Activities with Children and Young People
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic literacy and numeracy skills (e.g., reading care plans, recording observations).
- •An interest in helping others and working with people from diverse backgrounds.
- •No formal prior knowledge is required, but familiarity with the concept of 'care' (e.g., from personal experience or volunteering) is helpful.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Understand the uses of craft activities., Know appropriate craft techniques., Be able to recognise the safety factors in craft activities., Be able to plan a craft activity., Be able to carry out a craft activity
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