Teach Kids Life Skills: A Stitch In Time...

      I had come to the music class to pick my child. There were other parents too who were waiting for the class to get over. As I was waiting, I overheard  conversation between two ladies. One lady was telling how her daughter was interested in learning embroidery and different stitches. The other lady, mother of two sons retorted "I would never let my sons learn this kind of things. I want them to be good at sports and instruments." I felt what"s the harm in learning to stitch. Many of us think in the same way.We want to bring up our kids to be independent adults but our actions contradict. Many of us carry misconceptions based on gender and type of work.

   
Stitching or hand sewing is an essential skill every child ( girl or a boy) must know. Why?

• On the play ground in a small fight other kids have tugged your kid's uniform and it's stitches have come out. 

• Your kid is getting ready to go to school and the button falls off.

• Its your child's favorite dress and as he/she is wearing it the seam splits open.

• Shoulder strap of  his school bag is clinging with just one or two stitches intact.

• Pockets of his backpack have split opened due to over stuffing.

• Then there are several other items like shoes, slippers, hand bags, pouch, papers from schools project, assignment papers, worksheets and many more.

    In all the above cases there are chances that you are not available to help your child to fix the things. May be your child is in hostel, may be he is out for a picnic, may be he is alone at home, may be he is at his friend's house. In these situations isn't it helpful for your kid if he knows how to repair. There are times when you cannot go in search of a tailor or you can't keep buying new ones only because it needs negligible repair. Isn't it good that your kid is able to do his things on his own  and that too without consuming much time.
      Now you must be thinking "will my kindergarten child be able to do these things, will it be safe"?  That is what I am going to tell.
       Your kindergarten child can learn to stitch at this age with very safe things like Chart paper with punched holes and string or shoe lace. And believe me it is a fun activity for kids and they enjoy doing this. Moving further i.e in grade 1 and 2 kids can start using needle safely.So kids in grade 3 and above can help themselves in repairing their own garments.

    How to teach:

Running Stitch

• You can start with simple chart paper as I told above.  Punch holes in any pattern and make them insert the string through the holes in the desired pattern.

• Further you can make simple basket or cover as shown in the pics below. Picture 1 shows Running stitch and picture 2 shows Whip stitch. These two types of stitches are more than enough for joining any garment or material (basic level).

• While you teach them to sew keep your instructions clear like : insert the string through the hole Down, pull it Up,  now go to the Right, or Left  to follow the pattern.

• Once they have mastered this they can start doing patch work ( Running stitch),  flannel  pouches ( Whip stitch) , tiny quilts for dolls or mats, make a book from left out papers .

Whip Stitch 

• When kids see something beautiful and colourful created through their efforts they feel happy and motivated. I have put two simple pictures, but you can use your imagination and kids would come up with many good ideas that will surprise you.

• Initially  you will have to use glue at two three points  to hold the two pieces together and then start sewing.They need your assistance in putting a knot at this stage.

• Once done with these stitches show them to fix a button. you can draw a face on chart paper and stitch buttons as eyes and nose. Next stage they can stitch directly on cloth.

     Benefits:

• Their motor skills get developed , which will help in having good hand writing.
• Hand -eye coordination gets better.
• Concentration increases. 
• Increases attention span.

Skill learnt is never a waste, it is for life time.

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