While observing a group of children prepare food for each other in the East Wing house area, a conversation emerged about the fabric cupcakes and how much they like them.
Admiring the one Sadie B. is using, Devin says, “Can I have the pink cupcake?” “I’m still using it. ” Sadie tells her and Devin waits patiently for her turn.
“ I love these cupcakes.” Laurel joins the dialogue.
“Me, too,” adds Micah.
“I really love this one,” says Devin, pointing to the pink one again and reaffirming her place in line.
“ We should make some more.” Sadie assesses the group’s desire for the pink cupcake and creates a solution that will please everyone.
“How could we make them?” Cindy creates an opportunity for expanding Sadie’s suggestion.
“We could sew some and surprise Silvana.” Sadie expands on her idea, using her knowledge of materials and voicing the East Wing’s interest in surprises (flower party, Crib Group).
“Yea, one time we gave Yoli paper for the Paper House on her birthday and she really liked that.” Devin recalls the delight of giving.
“We could make so many kinds.” Micah begins to play with possibilities.
“We can make another pink one so we can have two.” Sadie makes sure that the original need is addressed.
“ A lot of us like that one.” Devin validates Sadie’s observation.
While these children have a genuine desire to make a surprise for Silvana and the House Area, they also have come up with a very clever way to get another of their favorite cupcakes.
At large meeting time the children shared this idea with the whole East Wing. Everyone was very excited to make a surprise for Silvana. Jessica’s intern Frances, from SMC, was also very excited because sewing is one of her passions.
A small group has been formed to begin this exploration. At the first meeting the children were asked, “What cupcake idea do you have for the House Area?” Next they went to the studio table and drew their images.
“I want to make a blueberry one with a blue flower.” Lua
“Mine is a mushroom with chocolate flavor.” Micah
“It will be pink and we can pretend it taste like strawberry. It will have beads on top with a yellow cupcake wrapper.” Sadie
“I’ll make one with all the colors of frosting and a rainbow flower on top.” Laurel
“This one has red sprinkles on white frosting and red frosting in the middle. It tastes like vanilla.” Kai
“I want to make pink and purple with a flower. It’s blueberry.” Devin
In addition to some of our fabrics, Frances shared some of her sewing materials and introduced beading techniques. We will continue to meet on Tuesdays until the first batch is finished.
