Handwork

Handwork is a key element of our educational program and is critical to the social-emotional, physical, and intellectual development of children. Handwork typically begins in kindergarten with finger knitting and continues with more complex knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, sewing, spinning, weaving, and wood carving as students progress through the grades. Individual project-based activities develop eye-hand coordination, hand strength, dexterity, fine-motor skills, and the ability to purposefully track with the eyes (an important reading skill). Recent brain research has found that using the hands in such ways opens up neurological pathways that would otherwise atrophy. While relaxing and fun, handwork also involves strong “will-activity”, as it demands concentration, perseverance and problem solving.