When it comes to Montessori Practical Life curriculum, the main idea is to instill in children confidence, not only to know that they can do things themselves, but to actually do them!

It is such a fascinating feeling to try something new and succeed. It is an even more fascinating feeling to observe a child do the same.

In this post, we will share the best way to sew on a button for children to practice fine motor skills, but also an important life skill.

The Best Way to Sew on a Button {for kids}

Materials:

• A sewing surface (a quilted blanket, a handkerchief, an older shirt)
• Several buttons of different sizes and with 2 and 4 holes
• Sewing thread
• A needle with a large eye
• A pair of scissors

Tenn Well Embroidery Hoops, 5 Pack Plastic CirclePack of 50g Over 100 PCS – MixedPolyester Sewing Thread 24 Spools Multi Colored 200Lion Brand Yarn 400-5-5002 Large-Eye Blunt Needles, Set

Sewing a Button Setup

1. Let the child set the sewing surface on a flat surface and determine which button will be sewn on.
2. Next, let the child decide on the placement of the button (where the button will go on the sewing surface).
3. Third, show the child how to stretch the thread on a flat surface and have the child place her forearm next to it to cut that length.
4. Feed the thread through the eye of a needle (using a needle with a larger eye to make it easier).
5. Help the child tie a knot after bringing both ends of the thread together.

Now the child is ready to begin sewing!

Sew a Button by Hand

To sew a button by hand, it is important for children to understand how to pay attention to precision and slow motions. Follow these steps to present this work to the child:

1. Since the location of where the button will go on the sewing surface has been determined, now, teach the child how to hold the button and the sewing surface together in the non-dominant hand.
2. Take the thread and needle and slowly, show the child how to poke through the bottom into one of the button holes. Once it has been put through, pull the needle and thread all the way through slowly until all of the thread is out.
3. This part is easier: choose to sew on the button using straight lines, instead of criss-crossing the sewing. The child will pick one hole (other than the one with the thread coming out of the one hole) and poke into it and through the sewing fabric until the needle comes out the back. The child will then pull through all the way until the thread is completely out.
4. For the first time or two, help the child with this next step, unless she is quite confident to try it alone. It is time to poke through from the back on the third button hole and pull all the way through.
5. Last, poke the needle through the fourth button hole from the top toward the back and pull through.
6. And finally, teach the child how to make a couple of stitches on the back and then make a knot and cut the thread. The button should stay firmly attached on the sewing fabric.

Optional: Let the child practice this skill daily until it has been mastered. My children enjoyed this so much that they wanted to sew more in the same sitting, so I let them. As long as it is initiated by them and it is holding their attention, I let them have a go at it.

Keep these instructions on hand! Print out a beautiful card with the instructions! Simply enter your email below to receive the file in your inbox.

Montessori at home Book List

Interested in learning more about Practical Life activities to practice at home? Here are some great recommendations to learn more and to spark independence and confidence in children!

Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home,Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori ActivitiesTeaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: TheThe Absorbent MindHow To Raise An Amazing Child the MontessoriMontessori Inspired Activities For Pre-Schoolers: Home based projects

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