KS2 – Art and Design & D.T (Design Technology)

Art and Design and Design Technology are central factors of this project.

Children will be encouraged to understand the historical and cultural development of art forms as outlined in the national curriculum.

Understanding the history and culture in the 18th Century and how it impacts on everyday representations of art and creativity is key.

Like most women in the 18th century, the mothers who admitted their children to the Foundling Hospital, were mostly illiterate, and so material literacy – where certain objects were used to mark events, express allegiances, connections and loyalties, and forge relationships – was a familiar and accessible way for mothers to express the hopes they invested in their babies.

The selection and creation of objects and tokens was restricted by financial means. The mothers taking their children to the ‘Foundling Hospital’ had no money to take care of their children. So, the tokens were often created by taking pieces of fabric from clothing or household items and then some were decorated or embroidered.

Resources and Links:

The Foundling Hospital tokens collection - Coram Story : Coram Story

PPT: Examples of fabric tokens left by mothers and parents with their children