by Elizabeth Okeyele-Olatunji. www.facebook.com/TunnizzeCreation.
Recently, I had an encounter with a young learner who wanted to crochet a plushy with a poop emoji. I asked him to make the poop face, which he happily did, and he taught me how to make one too! Where does that kind of thinking come from?
Children are very creative thinkers; hence they need yarns to bring their ideas to life. That’s the beauty of yarn.
I define yarn as material that children can use to turn dreams into reality. Should every child be given the opportunity to work with yarn? The answer is a resounding yes because there are so many benefits, including:
- The simple joy that comes from hands-on activities. I recently spent time in a Montessori classroom where young children drew original designs and brought them to life with knitting. The children enjoyed working with yarn and needles, and what they produced. In a world of digital distractions, simple yarn work such as knitting, crocheting, and weaving offer much more than just a pastime; they provide a creative outlet, an opportunity to develop fine motor skills, and a chance to build self-esteem.
- The opportunity to blend creativity and skill-building. When children learn to knit or crochet, they are not just making scarves or toys—they are developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Following patterns, counting stitches, and correcting mistakes enhances cognitive abilities. Repetitive motions improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
- The sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a project. Having taught numerous children how to make things from yarn, I always cherish their smiles on completion of their projects. They often experience a boost in confidence and self-esteem, which can have ripple effects in other areas such as academics and social interactions.
Inclusivity in Creative Opportunities
Regrettably, not every child has the opportunity to learn yarn crafts for reasons that include:
- Socioeconomic factors
- Lack of access to materials
- Lack of qualified teachers
- Limited exposure to creative activities in schools
- Persistence of gender stereotypes, i.e. the belief that yarn crafts are “women’s work,” whereas boys and girls alike can benefit from the skills and creativity that yarn crafts cultivate
Communities, schools, organizations, and yarn companies must work together to ensure that yarn crafts and other creative activities are available to all children, regardless of their backgrounds. This could involve providing free or low-cost materials, offering workshops in schools or community centres, or even integrating these crafts into the standard curriculum as is done at Waldorf schools, Montessori schools, and those few schools that prioritize handwork.
We must not forget the home front as well. In the past, grandparents were fantastic at instilling the love of working yarn in their grandkids. So, on the home front, children can be taught to make things out of yarn.
In conclusion, children are the most creative humans and are always looking out for methods and materials to showcase their creative potentials. Best to give them a rich selection of materials like various colours and weights, types and ply. By making yarn crafts accessible to all, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop these valuable skills and experiences.
