Festive Kids Craft Kits: Christmas Joy & Skill Building

Table of Contents

1. Why Christmas Crafts for Kids Are More Than Just Fun
2. The Magic of Christmas Craft Kits: Convenience Meets Creativity
3. Choosing the Right Christmas Craft Kit
4. Top Christmas Craft Kit Ideas for Every Child
5. Speech Blubs: Your Partner in Communication, Play, and Learning
6. Getting Started with Speech Blubs: Our Value and Plans
7. Tips for a Successful Christmas Crafting Session
8. Beyond the Kit: Extending the Learning and Fun
9. The Lasting Impact of Christmas Crafting
10. Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Christmas Craft Kits

The crisp air, twinkling lights, and the scent of evergreen evoke a special kind of magic during the Christmas season. For families with young children, this time of year often includes another delightful sensory experience: the joyful mess of glitter, glue, and colorful paper spread across the kitchen table. More than just a festive activity, engaging in Christmas crafts offers a unique opportunity for children to develop essential skills, express creativity, and build lasting memories.

This blog post will delve into the wonderful world of kids’ Christmas craft kits, exploring why they are a beloved holiday tradition and how they contribute to a child’s holistic development. We’ll guide you through choosing the perfect kit for your child’s age and abilities, highlight various types of kits available, and most importantly, show you how to transform crafting time into a powerful language and learning experience. We believe that every moment spent with your child is an opportunity for growth, and we’re excited to share how even a simple craft can blossom into significant developmental strides. Ready to infuse your holiday season with creativity and connection? Let’s begin making magic!

Why Christmas Crafts for Kids Are More Than Just Fun

While the immediate joy of creating a sparkly ornament or a festive card is undeniable, the benefits of engaging children in Christmas crafts extend far beyond simple entertainment. These activities are powerful tools for cognitive, emotional, and physical development, subtly nurturing skills that will serve children throughout their lives.

Firstly, crafting significantly boosts fine motor skills. Little hands manipulate small pieces, squeeze glue bottles, snip with child-safe scissors, and carefully place embellishments. Each of these actions refines dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and the pincer grasp—all crucial for tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and self-feeding. When a child painstakingly threads a bead onto a string or peels a sticker, they are strengthening the muscles in their hands and fingers, laying foundational groundwork for future academic success.

Secondly, Christmas crafts ignite creativity and imagination. Kits provide a framework, but children invariably add their personal touch, choosing colors, arranging elements, and sometimes even inventing entirely new ways to use the materials. This encourages innovative thinking and problem-solving, as they figure out how to attach a wobbly pipe cleaner or turn a plain foam shape into a reindeer with personality. Crafting allows children to bring their inner worlds to life, transforming simple materials into cherished objects.

Thirdly, these activities foster patience and perseverance. Completing a craft, especially one with multiple steps, teaches children the value of seeing a project through from start to finish. There might be moments of frustration—a glue stick that won’t cooperate, a sticker that tears—but overcoming these small challenges builds resilience and a sense of accomplishment. The pride radiating from a child holding up their finished creation is truly heartwarming.

Moreover, crafting is a fantastic avenue for language development and communication. As children work, they naturally describe their actions, ask questions, and narrate stories about their creations. This organic conversation builds vocabulary, helps them understand sequencing (“First, we glue the head, then the antlers”), and encourages them to express their ideas and feelings. For instance, a child describing the “shiny red glitter” or the “soft cotton ball” for Santa’s beard is actively practicing descriptive language and expanding their expressive communication.

At Speech Blubs, we deeply understand the profound impact of these everyday interactions on a child’s ability to “speak their minds and hearts.” We know that fostering communication isn’t just about structured exercises; it’s about integrating learning into joyful, meaningful moments like crafting. If you’re curious about your child’s speech development, our quick 3-minute preliminary screener can offer insights and guide you toward next steps.

Finally, crafting during the holidays creates precious family bonding moments. These are opportunities for parents, grandparents, and siblings to sit together, share laughter, offer encouragement, and connect away from screens and distractions. The shared experience of creating something beautiful reinforces family ties and builds a treasury of joyful memories that will last long after the glitter has been vacuumed away.

The Magic of Christmas Craft Kits: Convenience Meets Creativity

While some families love to gather raw materials and design crafts from scratch, Christmas craft kits offer a fantastic, often less messy, alternative that doesn’t compromise on creativity or developmental benefits. These kits are thoughtfully designed to provide everything needed for a specific project, making them incredibly convenient for busy parents.

One of the greatest advantages of craft kits is simplicity. All the necessary materials—from pre-cut shapes and googly eyes to glue and decorative elements—are typically included and pre-measured. This eliminates the need for extensive shopping trips or digging through craft supplies, making it easy to jump straight into the fun. For parents juggling holiday preparations, this convenience is a true lifesaver.

Kits are also brilliant for managing mess. While crafting inherently involves some degree of “controlled chaos,” kits often come with specific instructions and contained elements, which can help minimize widespread glitter explosions or paint spills. Many kits feature adhesive-backed pieces or pre-portioned glues, reducing the need for open bottles and tubes.

Furthermore, craft kits are often themed and curated to inspire. A kit to make foam gingerbread houses or wooden reindeer ornaments provides a clear goal, which can be particularly motivating for younger children. The themed approach can also spark conversation and introduce new vocabulary related to Christmas traditions, characters, and festive objects. For example, a kit focused on making snow globes can lead to discussions about snow, winter animals, and the magic of a tiny world.

Moreover, kits are fantastic for introducing new techniques and skills. Perhaps a kit uses a particular type of paint, teaches a simple sewing stitch, or involves a new way of assembling pieces. This exposure to different materials and methods broadens a child’s crafting repertoire and confidence in trying new things. This systematic way of learning a new skill aligns perfectly with how children learn to communicate. Just as a child learns to imitate sounds and words by watching and listening, they can learn new crafting techniques by following visual instructions and demonstrations. This mirrors our unique approach at Speech Blubs, where children learn complex communication skills through our “video modeling” methodology, watching and imitating their peers. This peer-to-peer learning environment is incredibly effective and engaging for children.

For a parent whose 3-year-old “late talker” loves animals and is just starting to string two words together, an animal-themed craft kit could be a wonderful prompt. While decorating a felt reindeer, you might say “red nose!” and then encourage imitation. This can be reinforced later with the “Animal Kingdom” section in the Speech Blubs app, where they can practice “moo” and “baa” sounds by watching other children.

Choosing the Right Christmas Craft Kit

With an abundance of options available, selecting the perfect Christmas craft kit can feel overwhelming. However, by considering a few key factors, you can ensure you pick a kit that aligns with your child’s age, interests, and developmental stage, making for a truly joyful and productive crafting experience.

Age-Appropriate Kits

This is perhaps the most crucial factor. A kit that’s too simple might bore an older child, while one that’s too complex could lead to frustration for a younger one.

• Toddlers (1-3 years): Look for kits with large, chunky pieces that are easy to grip. Think sticker crafts, simple foam shapes, or felt activities that involve pressing pieces onto a sticky background. Safety is paramount, so ensure all materials are non-toxic and there are no small parts that could be a choking hazard. Simple finger painting kits with festive colors are also great.
• Preschoolers (3-5 years): These children can handle a bit more complexity. Kits involving gluing larger pieces, decorating pre-cut shapes, or stringing large beads are ideal. They are developing their scissor skills, so kits with pre-perforated items or safety scissors might be appropriate. This age group thrives on sensory experiences, so kits with different textures like pom-poms, cotton balls, or crinkly paper are a hit.
• Early Elementary (5-8 years): Children in this age range are ready for multi-step projects. Kits involving painting, more detailed cutting, weaving, or assembling simple 3D structures (like a gingerbread house kit) are perfect. They can follow more detailed instructions and enjoy adding intricate details.
• Older Elementary (8+ years): At this stage, children enjoy more challenging and realistic projects. Kits involving sewing, knitting, advanced origami, model building, or creating more elaborate decorations are excellent. They appreciate crafts that result in a functional item or a more sophisticated piece of art.

Skill-Building Focus

Beyond age, consider what skills you want to emphasize.

• Fine Motor Skills: Kits with small beads, intricate cutting, weaving, or detailed painting will hone these skills.
• Cognitive Skills: Projects requiring sequencing (step-by-step instructions), problem-solving (how to attach pieces, where to place elements), or design planning will challenge their minds.
• Language and Communication: Any craft can be a language opportunity, but some lend themselves particularly well. Card-making kits encourage writing or dictating messages, while character-based crafts (e.g., Santa, elves) can inspire storytelling.
• Sensory Exploration: Kits with a variety of textures (soft felt, smooth beads, rough glitter), smells (cinnamon-scented clay), or even edible components provide rich sensory input, which is vital for development.

Mess Level

Be realistic about your tolerance for mess and prepare your space accordingly. Sticker kits are generally low-mess, while paint or glitter-heavy projects will require more cleanup. Many kits now offer “less mess” options, such as glitter glue pens instead of loose glitter.

Thematic Variety

Christmas craft kits come in countless themes:

• Ornaments: Decorate wooden shapes, create salt dough ornaments, or assemble felt figures.
• Cards and Gifts: Design personalized greeting cards or create small handmade gifts like bookmarks or keychains.
• Decorations: Build mini gingerbread houses, decorate wreaths, or create festive banners.
• Edible Crafts: Decorate cookies, create candy cane reindeer, or assemble edible “gingerbread” houses from graham crackers. These are particularly great for sensory engagement and following instructions!

When selecting a kit, take a moment to peek inside (if possible!) or read descriptions carefully. Imagine your child engaging with the materials and the process. The right kit is one that sparks their interest and provides just enough challenge to keep them engaged without overwhelming them.

Top Christmas Craft Kit Ideas for Every Child

Let’s dive into some specific types of Christmas craft kits that promise festive fun and significant developmental benefits. Each category offers unique opportunities for learning and expression.

1. Ornament Kits: Personal Touches for the Tree

Ornament kits are a Christmas staple, allowing children to add their unique flair to the family tree. These often include wooden cutouts, clear plastic baubles, or felt shapes, along with paints, glitter, stickers, and ribbons.

• Benefits: Excellent for fine motor skills (painting small details, threading ribbons), color recognition, and creative expression. Children learn about personalization and the joy of seeing their creation displayed year after year.
• Language Opportunities: Discuss colors (“Which color should we paint the star?”), shapes (“It’s a round bauble!”), and textures (“The glitter is so sparkly!”). Encourage them to describe their finished ornament.
• Relatable Scenario: For a child who is learning to identify basic objects and express preferences, decorating a plain wooden ornament offers simple choices. “Do you want red paint or green paint?” “Do you want a star sticker or a snowflake sticker?” This direct questioning and choice-making supports their early communication. The “My First Words” section in the Speech Blubs app offers similar opportunities to reinforce object names and associated actions through engaging video modeling.

2. Card Making Kits: Spreading Holiday Cheer

Card making kits typically come with pre-folded cards, envelopes, an assortment of stickers, stamps, colored papers, and embellishments.

• Benefits: Encourages creativity, develops fine motor skills (gluing, sticking, cutting), and fosters a sense of thoughtfulness and empathy in creating something for someone else.
• Language Opportunities: A perfect way to practice writing or dictating messages. Discuss who the card is for, what message to write, and express feelings of love and appreciation. “What should we tell Grandma?” “Let’s draw a picture of Santa!”
• Relatable Scenario: A child who is hesitant to express themselves verbally might find comfort in the low-pressure environment of creating a card. “What colors make you feel happy when you think of Christmas?” Asking open-ended questions about their choices can encourage them to articulate their thoughts and feelings, building confidence in their verbal expression.

3. Gift Making Kits: The Joy of Giving

These kits allow children to create small, personalized gifts for family members or friends, such as decorated picture frames, keychains, handmade soaps, or painted rocks.

• Benefits: Teaches the value of giving, reinforces fine motor skills, and promotes thoughtful consideration of others’ preferences.
• Language Opportunities: Discuss who the gift is for and what that person likes. “What color does Aunt Sarah love?” “This gift is for Daddy because he loves coffee.” This helps children practice associating objects with people and expressing reasoning.
• Relatable Scenario: For children who are learning about social reciprocity and empathy, crafting a gift for a loved one is invaluable. They practice thinking about someone else’s preferences and express their affection. This process helps them connect actions with positive emotional outcomes, much like our approach at Speech Blubs helps children connect sounds and words with meaningful communication, reducing frustration and building confidence. Our research-backed methodology ensures that children are learning effectively, which you can read more about on our research page.

4. Decoration Kits: Festive Home Enhancements

Kits for making paper garlands, festive banners, snow globes, or small centerpieces.

• Benefits: Develops spatial reasoning, following multi-step instructions, and collaborative skills if multiple children or family members work together.
• Language Opportunities: Ideal for practicing sequencing (“First, cut the paper, then glue the shapes, then string them together”). Discuss where the decorations will go and what purpose they serve.
• Relatable Scenario: A child who struggles with following multi-step directions can benefit from a decoration kit. Breaking down the steps verbally (“Now, put the red pom-pom on the green tree. Good! Next, we add glitter.”) paired with visual demonstration, is a powerful learning technique. This “video modeling” approach, where children learn by watching and imitating their peers, is central to our app’s success, making learning natural and engaging.

5. Edible Craft Kits: A Delicious Learning Experience

Decorating cookies, creating candy cane reindeer, or assembling “gingerbread” houses from graham crackers.

• Benefits: Engages multiple senses (taste, smell, touch, sight), develops fine motor skills, and teaches following a recipe or instructions.
• Language Opportunities: Rich in descriptive vocabulary related to food (“sweet,” “crunchy,” “sticky”), actions (“spread,” “sprinkle,” “decorate”), and sequencing.
• Relatable Scenario: Edible crafts are fantastic for engaging reluctant communicators due to the high sensory appeal. “Do you want a star cookie or a tree cookie?” “Let’s put more sprinkles!” This type of play naturally encourages expressive language through choices and simple requests.

All these activities, while fun and festive, offer immense opportunities to nurture your child’s communication skills. Pairing them with tools like Speech Blubs can amplify these benefits, creating a comprehensive approach to developmental support.

Speech Blubs: Your Partner in Communication, Play, and Learning

At Speech Blubs, we understand that every child deserves the chance to “speak their minds and hearts.” Our company was born from the personal experiences of our founders, who all grew up with speech problems and created the tool they wished they had—a tool that blends scientific principles with play into one-of-a-kind “smart screen time” experiences. We are committed to providing an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support.

While Christmas craft kits provide wonderful hands-on, screen-free learning, we believe in integrating all forms of beneficial learning into a child’s day. That’s why Speech Blubs offers a screen-free alternative to passive viewing (like cartoons) and a powerful tool for family connection, complementing your child’s overall development.

How Speech Blubs Complements Craft Activities

Imagine a child proudly showing off their handmade paper Christmas tree, using words like “tall,” “green,” and “sparkly.” These are the moments we cherish, and Speech Blubs helps children build the vocabulary and confidence to articulate them.

• Video Modeling: Our core methodology uses “video modeling,” where children learn by watching and imitating their peers. Just as a child might watch you craft a step before attempting it themselves, in our app, they watch other children produce sounds and words. This natural, peer-to-peer imitation is incredibly powerful for learning new speech sounds, words, and phrases.
• Targeted Practice: If your child is working on specific sounds (like ‘s’ for ‘star’ or ‘t’ for ‘tree’) or concepts (like colors, numbers, or prepositions), our app offers engaging activities to reinforce these skills. After decorating a red ornament, your child can find the “Colors” section in Speech Blubs and practice saying “red” while interacting with a peer on screen.
• Vocabulary Expansion: Crafting naturally introduces new words—”glue stick,” “ribbon,” “sparkle,” “decorate.” Speech Blubs helps solidify this vocabulary through repeated exposure and interactive games. For a child who has just learned the word “cut” while making paper snowflakes, finding an activity in the app that reinforces actions can be a fantastic way to cement that new word.
• Confidence Building: Both crafting and using Speech Blubs foster a sense of accomplishment. Successfully completing a craft project or mastering a new sound in the app builds confidence, reduces frustration, and encourages further communication. We celebrate every small victory, knowing that each step brings a child closer to speaking their mind and heart.
• Screen Time Redefined: We transform screen time from a passive activity into an active, engaging, and educational experience. Instead of simply watching, children are actively participating, imitating, and interacting, making it truly “smart screen time.” Many parents have shared their positive experiences, saying things like, “My child started making new sounds after just a few sessions!” You can read more inspiring stories on our testimonials page.

We’re not here to promise overnight transformations, but to foster a love for communication, build confidence, reduce frustration, develop key foundational skills, and create joyful family learning moments. Speech Blubs is a powerful supplement to your child’s overall development plan and, when applicable, professional therapy, designed to make the journey of learning to communicate fun and effective.

Getting Started with Speech Blubs: Our Value and Plans

We believe in making high-quality speech and language support accessible to every family. That’s why we’ve designed our plans to offer flexible options, with clear benefits for each.

At Speech Blubs, we offer two primary subscription plans:

• Monthly Plan: Priced at $14.99 per month. This plan provides access to our core features and is a great way to try out the app for a shorter period.
• Yearly Plan: Our most popular and highly recommended option, priced at $59.99 per year. This breaks down to just $4.99 per month, representing a significant saving of 66% compared to the monthly plan.

Why the Yearly Plan is the Best Value

The Yearly plan isn’t just cheaper; it offers a suite of exclusive, high-value features designed to give your child the most comprehensive and supportive experience:

• 7-Day Free Trial: Only with the Yearly plan do you get a full 7-day free trial, allowing you and your child to explore all the features and see the benefits firsthand before committing.
• The Extra Reading Blubs App: As a Yearly subscriber, you gain exclusive access to our companion Reading Blubs app, further enhancing your child’s literacy journey.
• Early Access to New Updates: Be among the first to experience new activities, features, and content as soon as they are released.
• 24-Hour Support Response Time: Get priority support with faster response times, ensuring any questions or issues you have are addressed quickly and efficiently.

The Monthly plan, while offering flexibility, does not include these valuable benefits. For the most effective and enriching experience, coupled with incredible savings and exclusive features, the Yearly plan is the clear best choice.

Ready to embark on a journey of joyful communication with your child? We invite you to explore the benefits of Speech Blubs today. Choose the Yearly plan to get your 7-day free trial and unlock the full suite of features designed to help your child speak their minds and hearts. You can also download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Google Play to begin!

Tips for a Successful Christmas Crafting Session

To maximize the joy and learning from your Christmas craft kits, a little preparation and a patient mindset go a long way.

1. Prepare Your Space: Clear a designated area, cover surfaces with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth, and have wet wipes or paper towels handy. This minimizes cleanup stress and allows for more free-flowing creativity.
2. Gather Supplies: Even with a kit, you might need scissors, extra glue, or a cup of water for paintbrushes. Having everything within reach prevents interruptions.
3. Set Realistic Expectations: Remember, it’s about the process, not the perfect product. Your child’s craft might not look exactly like the picture on the box, and that’s absolutely fine! Celebrate their effort and unique creation.
4. Embrace the Mess: Glitter will get everywhere, paint might smudge. See it as a sign of engaged, joyful creativity rather than a chore.
5. Be Present and Engage: Sit with your child, ask open-ended questions, describe what you’re doing, and let them lead. This interaction is where much of the language and emotional development happens.
6. Offer Choices, Not Commands: Instead of saying, “Put the red star here,” try, “Where do you think the red star should go?” or “Do you want to use the red star or the green star?” This empowers them and encourages decision-making.
7. Take Breaks: If frustration sets in or attention wanes, take a break. Come back to the craft later or over several days.
8. Praise Effort and Specifics: Instead of just “Good job,” try “I love how you chose all those different colors for your ornament!” or “You worked so patiently on that small detail.” This helps children understand what they did well and encourages future effort.
9. Display Their Work: Find a prominent place to display their finished crafts. This boosts their self-esteem and pride in their creations, making them feel valued.

Beyond the Kit: Extending the Learning and Fun

The fun doesn’t have to stop once the craft is complete and the glue has dried. There are many ways to extend the learning and joy gleaned from your Christmas craft kits.

• Displaying Crafts with Pride: Actively involve your child in choosing where their creations will be displayed. Whether it’s hanging an ornament on the Christmas tree, taping a festive picture to the fridge, or arranging a centerpiece on the dining table, giving them ownership over the display reinforces their sense of accomplishment and the value of their work.
• Sharing Stories: Encourage your child to tell stories about their crafts. Who is the reindeer they made? What adventure did it have before it came to your tree? If they made a gift, talk about the person it’s for and why that person will love it. This is a powerful way to practice narrative skills, imagination, and emotional expression. For instance, if they made a Santa, you could ask, “What is Santa saying right now?” which directly encourages expressive language.
• Inventing New Crafts: Use the kit as a springboard for further creativity. If there are leftover materials, challenge your child to create something entirely new. “What else can we make with these pipe cleaners and pom-poms?” This fosters independent thinking and resourcefulness. You might even integrate natural elements found on a winter walk, like pinecones or twigs, to add another sensory layer to their creations.
• Documenting the Process: Take photos or even a short video of your child working on their craft. This creates a wonderful keepsake and can be a fantastic tool for revisiting the experience and discussing the steps involved, further reinforcing sequencing and vocabulary. “Remember when you were gluing the snow onto the house? That was fun!”

By integrating these practices, you transform a simple craft kit into a multi-faceted learning experience that supports not just creativity and fine motor skills, but also crucial communication and emotional intelligence.

The Lasting Impact of Christmas Crafting

As the holiday season draws to a close and the decorations are carefully packed away, the true value of those crafting moments remains. It’s not just about the tangible ornaments or cards created, but about the intangible gifts bestowed upon your child: the surge of confidence from a completed project, the joy of shared laughter with family, the expansion of their vocabulary, and the quiet satisfaction of bringing an idea to life.

Christmas craft kits offer a structured yet flexible framework for children to explore, learn, and grow. They are a beautiful testament to the power of play, demonstrating how engaging activities can subtly nurture critical developmental skills. As parents, our role is to provide these opportunities and to be present, engaged, and empathetic guides in their learning journey.

At Speech Blubs, we are deeply committed to empowering children on their communication journey, blending the fun of play with scientifically-backed methods. We believe in providing tools that complement your efforts in creating a rich, stimulating environment for your child, both on and off-screen. Every time your child crafts, they’re not just making a decoration; they’re building a foundation for self-expression, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Ready to further support your child’s communication and development in a fun, engaging way?

Unlock a world of joyful learning and begin your 7-day free trial with Speech Blubs today! Remember to choose the Yearly Plan to receive the free trial, access to the Reading Blubs app, early updates, and priority customer support for just $4.99 per month (a 66% saving!). You can also download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Google Play to get started. Let’s empower your child to speak their minds and hearts this holiday season and beyond!

Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Christmas Craft Kits

Q1: What age are Christmas craft kits best suited for?

Christmas craft kits are available for a wide range of ages, typically from toddlers (1-3 years) all the way up to older elementary school children (8+ years). It’s crucial to check the recommended age on the kit’s packaging and consider your child’s individual skill level and interests. For toddlers, look for kits with large, safe pieces; for preschoolers, activities involving simple gluing and sticking; and for older children, kits with more intricate steps or advanced techniques like sewing or model building.

Q2: How can I make Christmas crafting less messy?

Minimizing mess starts with preparation! Cover your crafting surface with newspaper, a plastic tablecloth, or an old sheet. Have wet wipes, paper towels, and a small bin for scraps readily available. Choose “less-mess” kits (e.g., sticker crafts, pre-glued felt pieces, glitter glue pens instead of loose glitter). If using paint, offer a small amount at a time in a tray. Involve your child in the cleanup process too, making it part of the activity.

Q3: What educational benefits do Christmas craft kits offer beyond just fun?

Christmas craft kits offer a wealth of developmental benefits. They significantly enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity as children manipulate small pieces. They foster creativity, imagination, and problem-solving as children make design choices and overcome challenges. Crafting also builds patience, perseverance, and a sense of accomplishment. Crucially, they provide rich opportunities for language development through descriptive vocabulary, sequencing instructions, storytelling, and emotional expression.

Q4: Can crafting help with my child’s speech and language development?

Absolutely! Crafting is a fantastic way to naturally encourage speech and language development. As your child creates, they’ll be exposed to new vocabulary (colors, shapes, textures, actions), practice following instructions, and engage in conversations about their work. You can prompt them to describe their actions, explain their choices, or tell a story about their finished craft. This interactive communication builds confidence and verbal skills. Tools like Speech Blubs can further support this by offering targeted practice in a fun, engaging way, helping children practice sounds and words through video modeling that complements their hands-on learning.