I am an educator who has taught at most levels and in both general education classes and special education classes. One year I came upon a bag of free embroidery prints on white fabric with lots of embroidery floss and got the idea to use it with my students who were having trouble following directions. Little did I realize at the time that I would be giving them skills that supported learning across the board.
The students were thrilled to have such an opportunity to do something so different at school. I began by teaching a few students how to make a running stitch and they helped me teach the others. Watching the kids have so much fun choosing their colors and creating their own piece of work, some exploring stitches they made up or did incorrectly but looked cool, and then finishing a piece and deciding what to do with it was beyond satisfying. It opened my eyes to the many connections sewing has with learning.
Kids are open to new skills especially when everyone is a novice requiring guidance. Since everyone makes mistakes, it allows each one to watch responses of those who can laugh, are unafraid to admit mistakes as they are expected and learn that mistakes are merely part of the road to learning.
Sewing gave the students practice in
- fine motor skills
- following directions
- developing patience with themselves and others
- being creative in new ways
- putting their personality into their work
- increased acuity in hand-eye coordination
- finding confidence in trying something different and new
- and getting a glimpse into the world of production.
Donna Barratt
Educational Consultant and Writer
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Umbrella-Advantage
