Art and Learning
I am grateful that sewing and crafting is in fashion again. Sewing was a very important part of my childhood. Since Mother took in sewing, she only put her sewing machine away when she was hosting a party or hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas for her parents and siblings. The rest of the time, the sewing machine was out and Mother kept it humming. She started teaching me to sew when I was about eight. That’s when I sewed my first item, a red print apron.
In addition to Mother’s sewing business, we made crafts, too, and for years she organized one of the domestic booths at the Cheatham County Fair.
If you had asked me when I was a newlywed if crafting would be popular in the early 21st century, I would have been skeptical. Women seemed much too busy conquering the world to stop and make things with their hands. I love that it is popular again.
I think it is wonderful to encourage creativity in children. Giving a child the freedom to be creative while also encouraging a good work ethic so that they learn the joy of completing projects is a great combination.
One practical way that our family combined academics and creativity was very simple. Our girls often had some kind of project in their hands when Ray read aloud to us all. Drawing, embroidering, and coloring intricate pictures (long before the current adult coloring phenomenon) were popular occupations. Our son John created with LEGOs® during those times. I loved his portrait phase when he created LEGO® portraits.
I am confident that the concentration, problem-solving skills, and other skills they learned while working with their hands has benefited them in many ways. They all continue to have creative hobbies, too.
Some people see creative activities as somehow inferior to ones considered more academic. I disagree. There is so much to learn in both areas — and sometimes they can be enjoyed at the very same time, like our read-aloud family times.
But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life
and attend to your own business and work with your hands,
just as we commanded you,
so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
1 Thessalonians 4:10-15