Kids Can Be Sew Powerful
Empowering the younger generation with essential life skills
When you think of the essential life skills that you want your kids to have before they leave your home, you might have a list that looks something like this: be able to make their bed, clean their room, understand why they need to have savings, have proper table manners, be able to cook a decent (and hopefully healthy) meal, how they can react to emergency, and how to say please and thank you. One thing that’s not common to see is handworking skills.
Years ago, it was not only common but required that children learned the art of sewing. Clothes were made from hand; hats and jackets were crafted in living rooms not factories. there are real benefits to investing the time and resources to teaching your child the trick of the art of cloth-making. Knowing how to sew, for anyone, is a useful life skill with lifelong practical applications and many health benefits. To sew requires concentration and focus, problem solving skills, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It challenges left brain thinking and is a great way to express one’s creativity and individuality. And, let’s not forget, sewing can be just plain fun!
It’s the end of the school year, the time of graduation speeches, of looking back at accomplishments and making plans for new ones. It’s a time when many parents think about their hopes and dreams for their children, whether they are graduating or just learning to walk.
As the school year comes to a close, parents, are you looking for a constructive activity to engage your 6–12 year old this summer? Most education professionals advise parents to keep their kids engaged in activities that continue to challenge their brains and keep them learning throughout the summer months. One of such activity is sewing.
Children 6–12 years of age have the mental capacity to grasp basic sewing concepts and sufficient manual dexterity to work a sewing machine. It is, in fact, about the most perfect age for them to learn the craft. And, you will be amazed at the developmental benefits children can gain from learning to sew at this young age.
Besides the obvious benefit of being able to sew on a wayward button, hem a new pair of trouser, or even craft a new baby gift, handwork provides your children with a creative way to:
- develop and mature their finger dexterity and fine motor skills.
- find and build their self-confidence.
- learn copious amounts of patience (Have you ever tried to trace a pattern!?!?).
- learn to build creative and amazing things with their little hands.
Under Uplift Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship and Business Development unit, During the 2017 summer we initiated a project tagged “ I’M SEW POWERFUL”. the essence of the project was to empower kids between the ages of 6–16years with basic sewing and entrepreneurial skills.
We partnered with Hauwa Liman of Inspire for Impact Initiative to empower the kids with sewing kits to enable the kids have tools to use to start their own sewing projects at home.
This year’s project promises to be more impactful and fun-filled as we plan to extend our reach and visit orphanages or schools in five northern states (Bauchi, Jos, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja).
For Collaboration, Sponsorship or Donation: email me at mustapha@uplift.ng or call 07036379092.
Finally, this project aims at providing the younger generation with a vehicle for personal and creative expression. It is a productive way for kids to use personal time and create independent work. And, it opens the door to future potential career paths.
