Tips on When and How to Teach Kids Knitting
Children enjoy knitting. Even small children can be introduced to knitting with a knitting ring or dolly and achieve initial successes that motivate them to continue practicing. And of course the adults are allowed to help a little at the beginning.
Children also enjoy needlework and should also experience the health and psychological benefits of knitting. It is by no means a hobby just for adults, as children enjoy knitting alongside computer games and television. It strengthens their self-esteem to create something themselves and maybe that’s what makes it so appealing. They can work with their hands, make rapid progress in learning and quickly feel a sense of achievement. When the first rows are knitted, it is extremely motivating.
You can start teaching your child how to knit at kindergarten age. A knitting dolly is best to start with. At primary school age, children can then switch to knitting with knitting needles. Of course, parents and grandparents can also help with this, for example by doing the somewhat complicated casting on of the stitches. But later the children will definitely be able to do it on their own.
If children want to learn to knit, then quickly visible success is important. The little ones don’t have the patience to work on it for hours before they get their hands on something tangible. So it makes sense for children to learn to knit with thick wool. This is easier to deal with, the stitches are easy to recognize and the first rows are knitted quickly. For the thick wool you will find thick knitting needles in our Mindful Collection.
Instead of a scarf for themselves, the children can start by knitting a scarf for their very first stuffed animal. It’s smaller and therefore much quicker to complete. Parents who want to add even more variety to their children’s newly learned hobby can get wool in different colors. So the child can change the color from time to time. You can also bring variety to the knitting experience for the little ones with different types of wool. Think of different small projects, such as a small “flying” carpet, a bed cover for the cuddly toy or small pillows.
The benefits that knitting brings to children are enormous. Hyperactive children in particular can be calmed down in this way. The concentration and attention of the little ones is also particularly strengthened. The bond between parents and child will also be strengthened as this is a mutual attraction and they will spend quality time with their children.
Fine motor skills are also trained, which will have an effect in school that will improve your child’s handwriting. Knitting also increases your children’s creativity, so you will find that after each project your child will come up with a new idea to knit.
“Children have real understanding only for that, which they invent themselves” — Jean Piaget
Through knitting, let your children invent many great projects as well as themselves and experience the benefits of knitting for body and mind.
Do you like this Mindful Blog? If yes please check our similar blog by clicking here.
