I am old-school. <begin rant>I think people develop positive self-esteem by actually acquiring and mastering skills, not just by being told incessantly how awesome and perfect they are </end rant>. One of the great benefits of teaching sewing is I actually get to witness the concrete progression of skills that students attain over time. Like watching C cut out a new skirt, for instance. Maybe not 100% accurately, but a darn good job for a nine year-old.
Nice work, C, keep it up!
Happy sewing!
Maris Olsen
I agree with you about gaining self-esteem by *doing* something worthwhile. And yet, one of the reasons (just one, mind you) that I love hanging around with you is your ability to be constantly positive and upbeat. You always make me feel good about myself, even when I’m not *doing* something as well as I’d like.
Or even when I have to go buy my first pair of magnifying readers so I can work with black thread on black fabric. In Monroe. In the middle of a sewing retreat. 🙂
LOL! I still have my magnifying readers we purchased on that journey, and a nice memory of laughing with you all the way to Monroe and back.
Aww shucks, Saralyn, thanks too for your kind words. I want to be the voice that tells students they CAN do something, even if it is hard. And likely they will do it better the second time. Or maybe the 30th. 😉
Maris
Thanks for sharing this! My son has been talking about wanting to learn how to sew, so I want to encourage that interest. It’s a good reminder that learning a skill like that can help build self-esteem. I think he could really benefit from the confidence that comes with mastering something like this.