|
|
| 
|
There are many art mediums through which young children can learn
to express themselves. An often over-looked one is sewing. Learning
to control yarn and how to creatively use it to express themselves
can be a rewarding experience for preschoolers.
Children aged 3-5, are at a great age to begin learning how to string
or sew such simple things as necklaces, bracelets, wallets, plastic
shapes, ornaments, wall decorations and more.
Besides creating something both beautiful and useful, sewing and
stringing can also be useful pursuits for young children to develop
important skills.
|
COORDINATION SKILLS
Before preschoolers can master the art of writing they must
first learn to control their small finger muscles. Sewing or
stringing can also help young children develop important eye-hand
coordination skills. |
THINKING SKILLS
Planning, deciding to create something balanced or free form
are all pursuits that help children learn to solve problems
and develop thinking skills. Freely experimenting and observing
results teaches children cause and effect. We all want our children
to be good at making choices and solving problems. The preschool
years are wonderful year to all them the freedom to make mistakes
and learn from them.
|
MATH SKILLS
Whether stringing beads or sewing on burlap, children are involved
in beginning math pursuits. As children, gradually develop their
sewing and stringing skills, so will they be developing their
knowledge of patterning, one-to-one correspondence, counting
and symmetry. |
Below are some fun sewing projects you can do at home with your
child. Remember, there are no right or wrong ways to sew for
preschoolers. Their job at this age is to experiment and to
make connections. Your job is to provide them with a safe environment
filled with the tools for exploration.
|
STRINGING BEADS
Set out large wooden beads and lacing strings and let your children
design and create bead necklaces. |
SEWING PLACEMATS
Cut plastic placemats into shapes and punch holes around the
edges for your child to lace.
|
BEGINNING SEWING
SHAPES
A very simple beginning sewing project, is to cut out small
posterboard shapes approximately 4" x 4". Next , cut
½" sits around the outside edges approximately 1"
apart. Hook a piece of yarn through one of the slits and give
it to a child. Encourage her to wrap the yarn around the shape,
hooking it into the slits. However the yarn is wrapped is fine.
|
SEWING PURSES
For this project, you will need vinyl material, yarn and dull
plastic yarn needles. Cut large rectangle shapes out of vinyl
and then punch holes evenly around the shape. Turn up the bottom
third of the rectangle to create a purse and show your child
how to sew the purse together by lining up the holes and lacing
the yarn through the double holes.
|
SEWING ON BURLAP
Older preschool children can actually learn to sew on burlap.
Set out embroidery hoops and squares of burlap. Give your child
12" lengths of yarn threaded with a plastic yarn needle.
Show your child how to sew the yarn in and out of the burlap.
Let your child experiment and be pleased with whatever they
accomplish.
|
|
|
