Children love to create. Stringing beads, pasta, buttons is a creative activity! We string a variety of items for fun, to improve eye hand coordination, sequencing, and to develop patterns.
For two year olds who are just learning, try using chenille wire (pipe cleaners) for stringing. They are much easier to handle since they maintain shape and form. Yarn or string are typically used by our older kiddos.
Safety First – please consider safety when selecting items to string. Many items are a choking hazard to young children. If I am working with two year olds, I will often use very large chunky beads, cheerios, or fruit loops. Here is an example of chunky beads for toddlers.
Using pipe cleaners, your child can make a bracelet. Twist the wire on the bracelet and tuck it under the cereal.
You can use the chenille wire for beads as well. These beads were found at Hobby Lobby.
There are many styles of pasta that are great for stringing. It can be colored and used for necklaces and bracelets. Show your child how to develop a pattern to develop those pre-math skills and cognitive skills.
Anything with a hole can be used for stringing. I found play buttons and foam shapes in my closet.
For younger children, stringing beads is great for learning sequences, problem solving, attention to task, and eye hand coordination. Observe a toddler trying to learn this task. They must focus and attend very carefully. They poke the string, and use much thought to turn the bead to pull the string out the other side.
This is an easy task for older preschoolers. They have learned the ‘how to’ so they tend focus on the creation that they are making. So you can discuss counting, “How many beads are on your necklace?”; the pattern of the bead layout, colors, size, and shapes.
Here is another idea for toddlers from What Do We Do All Day?
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