Meta-threads means two things “transcending clothing” and a “shirt about a shirt.” The transcending nature of Meta-threads is that it goes beyond functioning simply as protection from the elements. By incorporating vocabulary onto the clothing they become fun, transportable vocabulary books. Second, many of the early Meta-threads designs were “shirts about a shirt.” So, for example, there were yellow onesies that said “yellow.” Or green shirts that said “green.” Where did this idea come from? In part the impetus for this innovation has been my research on literacy. But the first Meta-threads design was created just shortly after my niece Paityn was born. I wanted to find a gift that was unique, creative, fun, but also inspirational and educational.

Philosophy: Meta-threads embodies the philosophy that great success comes through diligent attention to details. By wearing Meta-threads words, symbols and images the wearers of Meta-threads and the people around them get repeated exposure to learning experiences throughout the day. This line of clothing will move with students beyond the boundaries of their classrooms and into peer-settings and other social situations where they can freely play around with and explore the possibilities of the lessons on their Meta-threads. We believe that the more Meta-threads there are in a given setting the more it will increase the type of creative play that is essential to brain development for children and adolescents.

Mission: The core mission of Meta-threads is to inspire kids, parents and teachers with our clothing lines and support materials to play in new, creative and fun ways with the words, symbols and images that are important to their intellectual development. The key to this is to introduce straight-forward and simple word-learning designs based on the latest research from the fields of child development, language and literacy learning, and developmental psychology. It is also our mission is to help facilitate positive literacy and learning habits through our clothing lines and to assist in making learning more easily accessible to a range of learners at all developmental levels, especially those whom traditional delivery methods may not reach.