Writing procedures... for the under-tens

I've finally stopped shirking and written up the instructions for my cupcake applique kits. I'm imagining they'll be for kids aged 8-10, or 7-11, or whatever age individual kids are competent with a needle and thread.

I've worked in educational publishing and was fascinated by guidelines for writing for different literacy levels. The length of words, how many different words are used and how common or difficult each word is are all factors that need to be considered when writing for a particular reading level.

I'm trying to use an appropriate reading level while still using correct technical terms and making a brand new skill comprehensible. I've also kept in mind how frustrating and difficult some craft kits could be when I was a kid, and pointed out the bits where the kid might want to go get an adult to help them.

I started the instructions this way:

The word appliqué is pronounced APP-LEE-KAY. Appliqué is a French word meaning something that has been applied or added. When we appliqué something, we are adding pieces of other fabric to make a decoration.

If you ever get confused or cross when working on a craft project the best thing to do is ask an adult to help you. They might not be very good at craft, but they might be able to explain words or manage a bit that’s too tricky for your fingers. Adults are great at threading needles and tying knots.

If you get really cross, put your craft project away for half an hour and go run around outside until you feel better. This is what I do when sewing makes me cross, and I’ve been sewing for 25 years!

And in this spirit the instructions continue... for nine pages in a 12pt font. And that's without pictures, y'all! It's going to look like a lost chapter of Harry Potter by the time I've done layout.

I think I might put it down for a bit and go for a run around outside.