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Everyone is equipped with the power of imagination. Art helps to take this one step further. Children learn through art to create something which, until that point, was only a figment of their imagination. Not only does that help them to develop their own abstract ideas, because it also helps them to gain a huge range of skills that will really benefit them in later life.
Sewing, for example, may not be a skill that your child learns at school but if you grew up sewing then you may want to pass this down to your children. This is a great way for you to connect with your child at the weekend and it also gives them a chance to learn in a new environment that is not the standard classroom.
Manifesting Excitement
Sewing is more of a process than a product. If a child is able to make decisions regarding the fabric that they use, the thread and even the placement of the design then they are automatically going to be thrilled with the end result. They’ll enjoy what they are doing and there is very little emphasis on neatness and the durability of the design. Sewing is a fantastic way to boost their hand-eye coordination and it is also a brilliant way for you to aid their developmental skills.
Why Sew?
Sewing is a life skill and it will aid them a lot in their later life. Whether they choose to sell their own creations, repair a torn piece of clothing or even make gifts for other people, there are certainly a huge range of exciting applications.
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How Sewing can Help Children
Sewing can help children by giving them a sense of self-confidence. It can also bring out a sense of independence and it hones their own level of creativity. It also gives them the chance to learn mechanical skills if machines for sewing are used. Other skills include the ability to listen to instructions, self-discipline and even patience. Children who are struggling at school may find sewing to be expressive, and it is a brilliant way for you to uncover their true abilities and talents. These may not be seen otherwise, and art paves the way for them to truly be able to communicate their ideas and even their feelings in a way that might not be written or even verbal. It’s not just sewing that offers these benefits, arts and crafts do too so there really are plenty of options available for you to choose from.
Developmental Benefits of Sewing
Sewing is a fantastic skill, but it also comes with a range of developmental benefits as well.
Bilateral Coordination
Crafts that range from cutting to colouring and even drawing all require your child to use both of their hands together at once. This concept also applies to sewing and bilateral coordination is a huge developmental trait that will go on to benefit them as they age. Examples of bilateral coordination include typing, tying their shoes and even catching.
Fine-Tuned Motor Coordination
Your child utilises their motor coordination when they draw shapes, cut out patterns and even when writing. This isn’t just an educational trait, because it also applies to dressing and even eating.
Self-Regulation
Crafts that need time to dry require long waiting periods. This is a great way for you to teach your child the art of self-control and patience. Although in sewing, you don’t have to wait for anything to dry, it’s more than possible to underestimate the amount of thread that you have. You may end up having to go out for more, or wait for more to be delivered. This helps your child to understand how the world works while also preparing them for the future.
Accomplishment and Pride
Your child may not have many chances to accomplish a true sense of achievement when the school day is over. If you choose a craft that is related to their skill level, like sewing then you can really help to give them the self-confidence and self-esteem they need to enjoy what they do and to feel rewarded at the end of it as well. As your child begins to explore new types of art and even crafts, you can then add in more challenges.
Top Helpful Sewing Accessories
If you want to start sewing with your child then there are a couple of things that you need to think about. The first thing that you need to consider is accessories that can be used to make your child’s experience easier. The last thing that you’ll want to happen is to set your child up with a machine, only to find that it shatters their confidence within the first 5 minutes. If you want to make things as easy as possible when it comes to sewing with a machine for the first time then take a look below.
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Metal Magnetic Bobbins
Metal magnetic bobbins can hold the thread for you and they can also be stacked. This is ideal because it means that they are not always rolling on the floor and it also means that they don’t unravel easily as well. They keep things neat and tidy and when your child is creating, this can make all of the difference.
Tape
Tape is ideal for safeguarding your sewing machine. Consider buying some electrical tape and put it next to the needle guide. This will help your child to sew straight and it can also be peeled off with ease. A rubber band can also be used however your child may find that it moves easily and it can also get caught up on thread as well which is something that you will want to avoid.
Great Fabric
Who doesn’t like good-looking fabric? Great fabric cannot be compensated for and it will really help your child to stay interested in whatever they are creating. It is a good idea for you to stick to cotton when you are teaching your child how to sew because it is very forgiving and it won’t fray. Another huge problem that people experience when they learn to sew is puckering, and cotton will help you to avoid all of this.
Good Scissors
You really can’t substitute a pair of good fabric scissors. When you do buy some, make sure that you use them on fabric alone. You can’t use them on paper or even cardboard because this will really blunt them. Take into account the size of your child’s hand when choosing them and you can even let them choose the colour if you want them to feel more in-tune with their project and the time that they are investing in it.
So as you can see, the benefits to sewing are endless. Why don’t you and your child give it a go today?
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