Karen Hall and the St. Clair College Design Team Come To Kindergarten

We met the design team. There were teachers and students...just like in kindergarten.

But they were still learning even though they are grown up.

We let the children know that learning never has to stop.  
We also met Karen Hall. She is a newspaper reporter. The link to her article is below.

We began the morning with simple projects that were designed to introduce the children to become familiar with the use of needle, thread, design materials and the considerations that are made when creating fashion.

Karen and Abigail enjoy a discussion about Abigail's fashion statement.

Tracing and cutting small pieces takes practice, patience and time.

Threading a needle takes co-ordination and dexterity.

Teachers lend a helping hand and support the children.

 

St. Clair College reporter interviews the children about their designs.

Abigail and Danica showcase their designs and show fashion design student Luna.

Evan has a different idea. He is inspired by the leopard print to create a leopard 'stuffy'.

He needs to make a pattern to cut out the leopard shape and uses a tiger as a model.

Carson and Evan begin to sew fabric together. Carson chooses to do free form sewing.

Leah showcases the skirt she has hand-stitched. 

She is becoming an accomplished seamstress!

Karen advises Miya as she works on her self-made pillow.

The children have been inspired to create...

each in their own way.

Knotting the thread is still a bit tricky for the children. 

They ask for a knot so their work won't unravel.

The joy of learning is felt by everyone!

 

Evan begins to cut the stencil he has made for his pattern. 

He'll trace the stencil onto the leopard print.

He'll need to make two pieces for a front and a back.

So many activities and interests to suit every learner. 

Measuring, design, drawing, cutting, imagination, collaboration, patience, counting, dexterity, scissor skills, trial and error, discussion...

Learning is fabulous and fashionable!

Click on the link to see the full page article that Karen Hall wrote about her fashionable experience in the wonderful world of kindergarten! 
Suzuki and St. Clair - Two Sets of Design Students Show What They're Made Of

A Runway Project With The St. Clair College Design Team

 Program Co-ordinator Elaine Chatwood, along with students Luna, Stephen, Elizabeth, Sara and instructor Christy Litster became kindergarten teachers for the day.

Anything is possible when learners unite in play!

 

Community partnerships that connect us, excite us and inspire us!

Karen Hall of The Windsor Star joins in the fun.

 

All designers know that a team effort is key to every successful venture.

Collaboration...

...meets inspiration!

Team meetings to plan a design project plant the seeds of brainstorming.

 

Open materials invite creative thinking.

 
 Patient attention to detail.

Expert advice invites insight and values the learning process.

Fashion from head to toe.

 

With excited anticipation, the design teams gather in front row seats and await their models who reveal the latest in fashion at our

Kindergarten Runway Project!

 
With excited anticipation, the models can't wait to walk the runway!
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The models walk the runway together for a showstopping finale!

 

Now it was time to share our excitement and fashion with the rest of the school. 

So off we went on a fashion parade to the school assembly.

 

 
There's no black or white about it...
Learning happens in the shades of emerging interests.

 

 

Children learn best when we support their interests and follow their lead. 

It is then that their learning is most meaningful and tells the world who they are.

These moments create joyful, life-long learners.

And we just play along.

We extend our thanks to Kathryn Markham-Petro for connecting us with the design team...
and our deep gratitude to Elaine, Christy, Sara, Elizabeth, Luna and Stephen for impacting us with your knowledge and your presence,
which has left a great imprint in the wonderful world of kindergarten.
And to Karen Hall for shining our light for all the community to see!