Two Smocks & a Picture Book

Those are the things I gave Bree for her 2nd Birthday. I think she will enjoy each and everyone of them.

I sewed the two smocks. The one with long sleeves is made with a combination of two types of fabrics. The body is made with red/white gingham fabric while the raglan sleeves are made with white, 100% cotton Quilters Homespun. I originally had wanted to make the whole smock out of calico only. I read this very old book on art for young children more than a decade ago. According to the book, colourful or patterned fabrics (especially around the sleeves) can affect or confuse the little artist’s development in colour discrimination through painting. Today, most smocks for young children are multicoloured. The colours I chose for the first smock was a bit of a compromise between what I believe in and what people have come to expect in the 21st century. The second smock is more like a pop-over apron without sleeves. Instead of ties, the tabs are designed to fasten to the front with Velcro. This will encourage Bree to help herself. This one is made using white Ripstop Nylon and is lined at the front with white, 100% cotton Quilters Homespun. This one will be suitable for messy art like finger-painting.

The picture book I chose for Bree this time is called “Where’s My Teddy?” It is written by Jez Alborough. This book is very popular with many of my charges (past and present). I am aware that the content may still be a little too advance for Bree but I am hoping that she will grow to like it. I love reading to children. It doesn’t matter if they are 10 months old or 10 years old, children enjoy being read to. Sometimes, 5-7 year olds like to show you what they have learned from school. Instead of listening attentively, they want to do the reading instead. LOL.