Today I wanted to highlight an activity that is a little secret in our classroom – the Montessori sewing activity. And I realised it’s because many parents don’t know how to guide their child with this activity.
So I took some photos while the sun was momentarily shining today to break down some of the steps. This is a brief summary of the many step process but it give you the idea.
I’m always reluctant to give ages as children vary so greatly but to give you a guideline, often children show interest around 2.5 years.
Safety: the needle used is a darning needle so it has a blunt end. However, we still emphasise the child how to keep the needle pointing away from them.
Steps
- You can name the items in the sewing box – needle, sewing card, thread, needle case (for storing needle).
- I use a needle that is already threaded (double with a knot) so they can get started. As they gain skills we can teach them to thread the needle.
- The sewing card we start with at around 2.5 years old is has holes punched along the diagonal from thick card. I use a prick pen to make these.
- We start at one corner and slowly push the needle half way.
- We slowly turn the card, point to the needle, “look!”
- Then we pull the needle away from us until it’s completely through.
- We repeat for the next hole. We can show them the stitch, “look I made a stitch!”
- Continue sewing the remaining holes.
- Then we use scissors to snip the thread and tie a knot.
- We get a new thread and show them how to thread the needle and tie a knot.
- Then we offer the child to have a turn.
Let me know if your child is interested in sewing after reading this and if you give it a try. Enjoy!
If you want to move onto more advanced sewing work from a 3-6 classroom, I highly recommend the book, “Sewing in the Montessori Classroom” by Aimee Fagan.