Welcoming back Devora Piha and her great craft projects for
all ages, this time for the very young.
"Problem solving skill enhancement can come from something as
simple as a sewing card if children are given room to do it
themselves."
Sewing cards of Chanuka symbols are a great at-home wintry
activity for young children. Pass the time learning concepts
of order, sequence and spacing. Learn how to maneuver two
hands at once. Hold the card in one and the yarn-threaded
needle in the other. Sewing cards are a prelude to more
advanced sewing.
Try to make a straight line of stitches, but never mind if
some of the stitches are out of order or the yarn crosses the
whole sewing card going over the back edge, instead of the
front. Just getting the yarn through the hole might be
considered a feat in and of itself for small hands. Encourage
the older children to help the younger ones make the
cards.
Highlights:
* Introduce young children to the art of sewing.
* Show them sewing tools, their names and how to use them.
* Show them examples of homemade embroidery, stitchery work,
hems on skirts etc.
* Devise a jump rope game for the kinesthetic (action) child -
- one who needs to feel the new concept in his/her body
before grasping the new information. Two people hold the ends
of the jump rope. Have a child duck under the rope and then
jump over the rope. She then repeats this from the opposite
side of the jump rope. Such action resembles the over-under
in-out back-front motion of stitching yarn or thread.
* Make up a song using action words that instill the rhythm
and repetition of sewing to the child.
Some children want to do everything themselves, others want
reassurance of seeing an adult or other child do it first. It
is always a good idea to do a demonstration model and explain
each step as you work but leave the end results open-ended
within the framework of the project. This allows children
a channel for their personal stamp and encourages thinking
and problem solving skills. Yes, problem solving skill
enhancement can come from something as simple as a sewing
card if children are given room to do it themselves. The work
may not turn out picture perfect. Don't forget to praise
little Yossi or Shevy for their efforts with a big smile.
[And hang up the picture, perhaps on the window!]
CHANUKA SEWING CARDS
Materials
Plastic corrugated board or lightweight poster board. A cut
up cornflakes box works well also. Use cut up pieces between
5 and 10 inches each.
Scissors, pencil (black marker is optional)
Hole puncher (single hole works best) [if you don't have one,
get it; kids will have lots of fun with it. Great for hand
coordination, too]
Yarn (long shoe laces or pipe cleaners are optional)
Yarn needle or scotch tape to wrap end of yarn to resemble a
tip of a shoelace or needle
OPTION ONE
Child Cuts Out Pattern
* Adult draws picture pattern on white paper same size as
cardboard
* Adult staples paper pattern to cardboard
* Child cuts out around lines of pattern paper through
cardboard
* Adult removes paper and staple
* Adult or child punches holes
* Child sews with yarn
OPTION TWO
Child Traces and Cuts Out a Pattern
Directions
* Draw on paper same size as desired sewing cards -- a
dreidel, jug for the pure oil, candle, a Menora and a
sufganiya
Keep the shapes very simple.
* Child cuts out the paper picture pattern
* Child positions the cut out pattern on the cardboard of
corrugated board
* Child traces around cut out pattern on the cardboard
* Child removes pattern and cuts out shape
* Adult or child punches holes around cardboard (as far to
the center as possible)
* Child sews yarn through holes
OPTION THREE
Child Does Drawing of Chanuka Theme
* Child draws original art directly on the board, his/her
Chanuka theme
* Child cuts out shape (if any)
* Adult or child punch holes
* Child sews yarn
* Optional -- cover with clear self stick adhesive
OPTION FOUR
Yarn-framed Decoration for the Brochos on the Chanuka
Lights
Materials
Paper with Chanuka Brochos hand written or pre-typed.
Parchment-like paper is dramatic.
Light cardboard or construction paper at least three inches
larger all around than the brochos for frame.
glue / hole puncher / yarn or ribbon / optional -- clear self-
stick adhesive [contact paper] to protect
Directions
* Write brochos on paper
* Center and glue paper on top of larger cardboard frame
* Punch holes around cardboard frame
* Stitch yarn or ribbon around frame. Tie a bow at one
corner
OPTION FIVE
Decorative plate for Sufganiyot
Materials
Stiff paper plate / hole puncher / yarn or ribbon
Directions
* Punch holes about 1/3 inch in from edge and about one inch
apart
* Stitch yarn from front to back going over the edges
* When finished, tie the loose end or close up with a bow
Devora Piha is available for art and craft therapy. Ramat
Beit Shemesh 02-992- 0501.
