How the "Special Hats for Special Kids" Project Unfolded

 

I can't remember which of Deb Aubin's 11 special needs students came up with the idea to make actual Not Perfect Hats. Make as in sew - as in come up with patterns, figure out how much and how many kinds of fabric to buy, along with how many measuring tapes, pairs of scissors, pins, needles, threads, and assorted "what nots" we'd need to do the sewing. Then there was the issue of money - where to get it, where to put it, and what to do with it once we got it.

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All I know is the idea wasn't mine. Needles and threads, seams and hems, and darts and I have not been on speaking terms since high school when I was required to take sewing in Home EC.  That said, I applaud whoever it was who first raised their hand and said, "Let's make hats!"

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It was and is a brilliant idea.

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What I liked most about that idea - other than the fact that I was thousands of miles away and wouldn't have to touch a needle and thread - was the fact that no one said it couldn't be done. Not a word was said about disabilities, difficulties, differences, developmental delays, divergencies, dysfunction, deficiencies or deficits. It was as if all words beginning with the letter "D" had been temporarily stricken from the dictionary.

 

Instead, everyone from the teacher and her aids to the woodworking teacher and sewing angels from the PTA showed up to make the kids' dream a reality. Money was donated, and the kids learned how to open a bank account, deposit and withdraw money, and check their balance. Sewing machines and supplies appeared, sewing lessons were taught, and visits to the fabric store were made. As actual hats began to appear, a price was determined and packaging arranged.

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As for me, I took on the role of cheerleader and marketing guru. I helped the kids design posters announcing the sale of their hats, and when the press began showing an interest I helped them decide and practice what to say. I also arranged for them to meet with another class that was making Not Perfeect Hat Club (NPHC) hats so they could compare notes. And of course we continued to read and discuss Newton's adventures and mishaps on his road to recovery from perfectionism.

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You will see from the video at the top of the page that our project was both a success and fun for everyone involved. But my biggest takeaways were not the financial success or the media attention the kids got. It was the reminder that each and every one of us, regardless of the labels we've been assigned, has reason for being and a gift to share. Given the chance, kids will over deliver in terms of joy, creativity, and enthusiasm every time. Kids are our future. It's time we acknowledged that truth and started making education about acquiring self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the core literacy skills they'll need to become kind competent adults and stewards of the planet.   

 

- Jena 

 

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