𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞

…𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅 2-5 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔, 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔-𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔

By Lhendup Wangmo

The Autsho Early Childhood Care and Development Centre has opened a new classroom space dedicated to hands-on arts and craft activities, including bead threading and colorful textile work. These “tiny fingers and colorful threads” are not just play; they are teaching children to appreciate the traditional art of weaving and making them active participants in preserving this craft from a young age, while strengthening early learning, boosting fine motor skills, and preparing children aged 2-5 for smoother transitions into formal schooling.

Lham Deki, ECCD facilitator at Autsho ECCD Centre, said, “In our center, children are introduced to the fascinating world of weaving through real, hands-on materials. They explore different textures, colors, and patterns as they use natural fibers, yarn, and simple looms. This activity allows them to experience the traditional art of weaving in a meaningful and engaging way.”

She explained, “Weaving is a hands-on activity that greatly supports children’s fine motor development and creativity. As children manipulate threads, yarn, or strips of fabric through the loom, they strengthen the small muscles in their fingers and hands. The precise movements of picking, pulling, and weaving over and under help improve their fine motor skills.”

“At the same time, weaving inspires creativity and imagination. Children experiment with different colors, textures, and patterns, learning to make their own unique designs. It gives them the freedom to express ideas visually and encourages problem-solving as they decide how to arrange the threads to create something beautiful,” Lham Deki added.

She also highlighted the cultural dimension of the activity, saying, “In our center, children are mainly introduced to traditional Bhutanese weaving techniques, in line with our spiritual, cultural, and traditional domain. We focus on giving them an understanding of how our ancestors practiced weaving, helping them appreciate its cultural roots.”
“Through the weaving activity, children have developed noticeable skills and confidence. They are now able to make a roll of thread by themselves, showing improved hand coordination,” she said.

She further explained the social benefits, “Weaving also connects meaningfully with other areas of early childhood learning. While weaving, children practice sharing materials, taking turns, and waiting patiently, which fosters teamwork and social skills.”

Tandin Wangmo, a parent of one of the children at Autsho ECCD Centre, said weaving has been a great learning activity and exercise for her child. “It has improved my child’s patience, focus, and hand coordination. Weaving helps children learn to concentrate and be creative while also exercising their fingers and hands. Introducing traditional crafts at an early age keeps children connected to their culture and builds important skills,” she said. Tandin Wangmo added that she encourages her child to continue weaving at home as a fun and meaningful activity.

Ugyen Sonam, a parent of a boy at the centre, said, “In my opinion, this is creating a future job opportunity where even men can weave and become designers. Whenever my wife weaves at home, my son curiously asks how the patterns are made, showing a growing interest in the craft. Introducing weaving at a young age not only builds skills but also inspires children to see it as a meaningful and creative profession.”

Pema Choden, a 45-year-old villager and weaver, shared that weaving has been an integral part of her life. “Weaving is not just a pastime for us; it’s our identity, our tradition, and also a source of income. In the past, most of us learned weaving only when we were older, after helping our mothers with housework or fieldwork. By then, it would take time to build the patience and skill needed to master the art. But today, seeing children introduced to weaving at such a young age through the ECCD centre gives me so much hope. They are learning not just to weave, but to value something that has deep roots in our community.”

She explained that handicrafts like weaving provide income for many rural families. “Many women in our village earn an income through weaving kira and other handwoven items. It’s not just a tradition we practice for festivals; it puts food on the table. If these children learn weaving well, they will have a skill they can use to support themselves in the future. It’s something that never loses its value because handwoven products always have demand, both within the country and even outside.”

Pema said weaving teaches more than technical skills. “When a child learns to weave, they also learn to focus, to work with their hands, to mix colors and patterns, and to be patient. It strengthens their creativity and gives them a sense of pride. For us elders, watching the younger generation take interest in handicrafts makes us proud and reassured that our culture will not disappear.”

She emphasized the intergenerational aspect, saying, “When children come home excited to talk about what they have made or ask about designs, it connects us. We share what we know, like how to prepare the threads, how to create patterns, and they add their own fresh ideas. This exchange of knowledge keeps the tradition alive and evolving. It also opens doors for them to explore weaving not just as culture but as a profession, maybe even becoming designers or craft entrepreneurs in the future.”

The initiative at Autsho ECCD Centre is more than just play. It is a strategic, culturally rooted approach to child development, skill-building, and cultural preservation, with long-term benefits for both the children and the wider community.