Weaving/sewing

I have been meaning to tell you about my goals for our year in preschool over in my writing center.  I love sewing in early childhood - it really helps develop fine motor skills plus there is so much concentrating, creativity, direction following, ect it really is an all encompassing activity. 

 

Over the past 4 weeks I have been preparing the kids to start to learn to sew (hand stitching).  We have been weaving using several different looms and ribbons. 

 

This last week I set up a child's quilting frame and let them sew with some burlap, plastic needles, and embroidery thread.  It was a big hit.  Our burlap is now covered with all different kinds of embroidery thread.  Each child found their own way they liked to sew.  One child only liked to put his thread and needle in holes that already have thread through it - he wants it all to match exactly.  Another is very very good about making sure she goes down and up - and if she messes up (like wraps it around the edge and goes down and then down) - she wants to un-do it and fix it).  One likes to make little stiches that all link together - while another does really really long stiches - like from one end of the frame to the other.   

Soon I will introduce fabric, buttons and beads to add to our cloth - then they will each be given an embroidery hoop to work with.  Eventually we will make some projects  - like pillows and stuff.  I am really excited.