For my free inquiry I chose to make a busy book. My auntie made me one when I was a baby so I have decided to make one for my cousin who is pregnant.
A busy book is a hands on interactive book to develop fine motor skills through play with things such as zippers, laces, velcro buttons and other textures. Busy books are a way for kiddos to play independently while developing sensory stimulation and quiet play.
The busy book is intended as a tool for children’s learning, but the process of creating it is also a meaningful learning experience for me. While I have some prior sewing experience, this project challenges me in new ways and requires me to develop more advanced skills and techniques. As I work on the busy book, I will be learning how to sew more confidently and effectively, experimenting with different methods and problem-solving as issues arise. With the guidance of my grandmother, who is a more experienced sewer, I will deepen my understanding of sewing practices while also learning through collaboration and mentorship. In addition to developing technical skills, I must thoughtfully design each page to be educational and interactive, and make intentional decisions about how the book will be assembled to best support children’s engagement and learning.
My first step was to draw up my design ideas for the pages of the book. Drawing out the designs allowed me to ensure this was something I thought I could do given my artistic skills as well as visualize different ways to make it interactive.
