Bloom’s Taxonomy

by Linda Stanek

In the 1950s, educator and psychologist, Benjamin Bloom, created a triangular chart of cognitive thinking/learning behaviors, moving from the most common and basic, at the bottom of the triangle, to the highest, most complex, at the tip of the triangle. This was dubbed “Blooms Taxonomy.” At the time, Bloom determined that 95% of what children were asked to do on tests required them to work at the most basic level—recalling information.

While this series is meant to focus primarily on the upper levels of Bloom’s model, I’ll briefly cover how stitching falls into all levels of Blooms Taxonomy. At the lowest level of thinking/learning, we have the category of knowledge. Teaching stitching certainly offers knowledge—how different stitches are made, where to place them, even simple things like how to thread a needle and make a knot—or not!

Setting Bloom aside for a moment, let’s look at another basic skill that is supported by stitching. Think back to when you were young. Did you ever play with lacing toys—those cardboard shapes with holes punched in them with laces to “stitch” through the holes? For me, those were favorites. They were designed to teach fine motor skills (as opposed to gross motor skills, such as running)—how to thread the lace through consecutive holes. Real stitching teaches those same skills, though on a finer, more skilled basis.

What about you? Did you play with lacing toys as a child? Can you remember any of your first sewing or stitching lessons? What were some of the first things you ever stitched, and who taught you?

Linda Stanek was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and has always loved visiting the zoo. She spends her time taming stray cats and corralling words into stories and books—both fiction and nonfiction. She also writes for magazines, e-zines, and non-profit organizations and writes teacher’s guides for award-winning children’s books.

Linda has a B.S. degree in elementary education from The Ohio State University. She lives in Columbus with her three cats, Frankie (named after a Columbus Crew soccer player), Chloe (just because she likes the name), and Cubby (named after the Chicago Cubs baseball team). Beco’s Big Year is her second book.