Spreading positivity, one dinosaur at a time

With a dinosaur collage in one hand and positive message in the other, this family sought to empower the next generation. Here’s how they did it.

Claire Powlesland’s son James, wearing one of the shirts. Picture: Dominika Lis

THE dining room table at Claire Powlesland’s house is regularly covered in craft materials, so when she and her little boys had trouble finding T-shirts with positive messages, they decided to make some.

The result is a small collection of shirts with a striking blue and red dinosaur and the words “When we are brave we grow taller”.

It’s a saying they use at home when Alexander, 6, and James, 3, are hesitant to try something new. Oh, and the dinosaur is a family favourite.

“They stuck their blue and red triangles all over the paper and then we cut around the outside in the dinosaur shape,” Claire explains.

“We took it to a local printer, the boys actually went with me, and they printed it on the T-shirt for them. They could choose what colour T-shirts they wanted and it was lovely for them to see the process from the artwork they made, to it being printed on the T-shirt.”

Claire says Screenprint Dynamics at Kippa-Ring has printed the design on ethically produced shirts from the Empower Collection.

So, they’re not only supporting a local family business, they’re also ensuring the garments have been produced in an ethical and environmentally sustainable way.

“We want the whole project to be positive. There’s no point in having a positive design, if it’s printed in bad conditions,” Claire says.

Claire Powlesland with sons Alexander and James. Picture: Dominika Lis

The primary school teacher says she’s seen first-hand the increasing number of children affected by anxiety and low self-confidence.

She’s hoping this project will not only make her own children feel good about their efforts, but also help others.

“The project we’re doing next is we’re actually asking the community to contribute their positive artwork and sayings. We’d love to have them all over the shirt,” Claire says.

She’s approaching schools and calling for submissions via the By Kids For Kids Facebook page she’s created.

“It’s important to me and our family to try and help not just our family, but society in general — try and spread that positivity and confidence in kids,” Claire says.

For now, it’s a labour of love and the family hopes to just cover their costs. The shirts are available in sizes 4-10, and are $30.

Search ByKidsForKidsTshirts on Facebook.