Parents and educators today are always looking for a way to level out the amount of time that children spend on technology related activities with activities that involve more direct manipulation. One of these methods that have recently been discovered to have developmental values is traditional weaving. Sometimes termed as an art which has been in practice since time immemorial, weaving employs the use of fine motor skills, and repetitive motions that are quite beneficial to children. Teaching traditional weaving practices at the early age of the child also help them develop some cultural practices while at the same time benefitting the child’s development by sharpening hand-eye coordination.
The Importance of Hand-Eye Coordination in Early Childhood
Hand-eye coordination is the ability of the eyes to fix on the target and hands to be able to do the same thing. This is very important for young children this motor skill impacts practically almost all aspects of their functioning from handling objects to writing, drawing and playing games include sports. Hand-eye coordination is useful in the physical development of the children as it enables them to interpret visual clues and respond to them through motor actions as well as supporting cognitive development.
Such activities as the weaving can also be introduced with the purpose of scholarship since they demand the attention on the sight-movement relationship.
Traditional Weaving as a Hands-On Learning Tool
Weaving is essential a hands-on purpose that includes directing of strings or yarns through a loom or some equivalent tool in a certain order. It also facilitates development of hand-eye co-ordination because the movement is repetitive and rhythmic. The children have to concentrate on the direction the thread should take, where it should go in next and how to weave it through the warp (the vertical course) in a correct pattern and weave.
Children can practice traditional weaving involving simple looms – hand looms or homemade types made from a cardboard or sticks among others. Since weaving is done using pattern, texture and color then it enhances the children ‘s visual and sensory experiences in that, it assists the children to analyze and come up with a response to what they find around them.
Developing Fine Motor Skills and Dexterity
Besides improving hand-eye coordination, weaving exercises a remarkable function in the formation of fine gross and fine motor movements. The fine motor skills refer to the utilization of small muscles specially in the fingers as well as the palms which are significant in such activities as tying shoelaces and using forks, writing amongst others. Waving is about holding threads, twisting, turning, slipping, pushing or pulling them through certain sections, which have fine and sensitive hand movements.
The old method of weaving requires the consistent repeated motion and patience and the above action help in the improvement of a child control of their hand and fingers. This not only helps in the coordination between the hand and the eyes but further helps in its memorization as well as the creation of stronger and efficient hands.
Boosting Cognitive Development Through Pattern Recognition
Weaving, in particular, helps in the cognitive development of a child since it involves identification, as well as invention of the patterns. When a child weaves, they must know the sequence of the threads, the speed at which they weave must also be correct thus enhancing the memory and logical abilities. Pattern matching is one of the fundamental forms of learning which lays the groundwork for Mathematics, language, and problem-solving at an older age.
When weaving using traditional methodologies, a child is able to understand how to arrange movements in a sequence or steps to achieve a certain goal, therefore they are able to predict their next step. This pattern recognition is not only applicable to weaving but into other areas of learning as well since children are better placed to recognize sequences in order to solve problems using academic skills.
Enhancing Focus and Patience
Wearing, as it will be seen, is a necessarily painstaking occupation. That is why, it also takes work, time, and effort, the values that are crucial in both school and life. While weaving, the children are developing their appreciation for many things, including the goal and desire to complete something as a way which promotes self- esteem.
In addition, weaving is relatively monotonous, thus the children will have to slow down and pay attention to what they are doing; this can be a good thing, because the adult world is punking up at a very fast rate and crowds children’s attention in various ways. This aspect of weaving is more beneficial in the aspect of getting the children more patient and also develop the capacity to withstand long periods without getting bored.
Incorporating Weaving into Early Childhood Education
One of the great advantages of weaving is that one can use the tradition weaving in early education programs as part of the lesson plan that helps children to develop their creativity and skills. Early childhood care givers can bring woven items from yarn or ribbons or fabric strips and teach the children to try out simple weaving techniques.
Weaving can also be used in the sense it can become an interpersonal object because it helps children to engage in social communication while working on large responsibilities. However, that is not only relates to teamwork but also involves peer learning as kids share strategies how to complete tasks faster.
Conclusion
Rolled into learning approaches used in the early childhood education, cultural practices such as weaving have several advantages apart from reviving lost practices. Today weaving can be used as a valuable tool in child’s development because it helps to strengthen hand-eye coordination, improve fine motor skills, recognize a certain pattern, and, of course, improve patience. In bringing this craft from time immemorial and inserting it to today’s learning settings, parents and teachers can let the children master an age-old craft that is not only enjoyable but is also helpful in enhancing motor skills development.
