Dramatic play with the little dolls and the wooden house has become a favourite activity in the school-age 2 children’s program. The dolls come with detachable hairstyles and plastic clothing though the clothing can be tricky to put on. One day Devyn held up her doll wearing an outfit she created from paper and tape and proudly asked, “Do you like my outfit?” This sparked a wave of creativity among the children, and as the week progressed, more children began making their own doll outfits.
To Encourage this growing interest, the educator introduced fabric scraps and child-safe needles, inviting the children to create outfits for the dolls. When the children arrived in class, they were thrilled to see this new opportunity. They eagerly began threading the child-safe needles and attempted to sew fabric pieces together. However, the thick needles made it difficult to work with the fabric, and the children asked for help. Lisa noticed that the large needle holes weren’t ideal for sewing, so she apologized and encouraged the children to think of alternative solutions.
Everly suggested using tape, others experimented with a stapler, and some tied fabric pieces together to create clothing. These improvised methods worked, allowing the children to continue their creative play. Wanting to expand their learning, the educators obtained real sewing needles (with permission) and introduced additional materials such as felt leaves, pumpkins, and buttons.
When the children saw the new materials, their curiosity and excitement were evident. Many admitted they had never sewn before but were eager to learn. Before starting, the educators held a safety discussion, explaining the importance of returning needles to the foam block to prevent accidents. They then demonstrated how to thread a needle, tie a knot, and sew pieces of fabric together. The children concentrated deeply as they practiced threading the needles through the tiny pinholes. Some succeeded on their own, while others sought help from the educators. Once the needles were threaded, they began sewing their first creation.
“I DID IT!” Kingston exclaimed with pride after successfully sewing two pieces of fabric together. Meanwhile, Finley struggled with loose and bubbly stitching. Lisa guided him by showing how to pull the thread through completely before starting a new stitch. The children’s focus and perseverance were remarkable.
Elora shared that she has sewn before and quickly impressed everyone by creating a small bag. Her enthusiasm inspired her peers to experiment with their own designs.
The educators, Steph and Lisa brought in more felt material, along with stuffing, so they children could create anything they wanted. Emma decided to make a monster, carefully sewing on button eyes and a button nose before stuffing it to give it a shape. She held up her finished creation with a big smile, exclaiming, “look at my monster!”
This activity not only encouraged creativity and self-expression but also fostered the development of fine motor skills, problem solving, and patience. The children learned to navigate challenges, explore new tools, and take pride in their accomplishments, making the experience both engaging and educational. She inspired others to want to try also.
Next, Lisa and Steph are planning to introduce a sewing machine the program. This will allow the children to expand their skills and experiment with new techniques, further fostering their creativity and confidence in sewing.
