10.1 Threading Threading is a fun f

10.1 Threading


Threading is a fun fine motor skill activity that can start with easy to handle large wooden shapes (far left), and progress to threading smaller beads on a shoelace, threading cheerios on pipe cleaners, and threading very small beads to make decorative items. These are easy to set up on trays or in boxes as self-contained materials on your child’s shelf. 
Any crafts store will have a wide variety of types, sizes, and shapes of beads for threading. Here are more good sources for beads:
Creative Wholesale animal and dinosaur beads Melissa & Doug's Lacing Beads in a Box
Big bag of wooden beads Video: Bead Stringing
Extensions: Matching Patterns, Counting, Sorting
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Draw a series of colored circles in colors matching your child’s beads on a slip of paper. You could also photograph patterns you make and print the photos. Now your child can thread beads on in a matching pattern. Start with three circles then move to four and beyond as your child is ready. This activity naturally leads to naming the colors and counting and sorting the beads and other objects used for threading. Help your child count carefully; and encourage sorting by color, size, and shape.
10.2 Lacing


Children love the back and forth action of threading yarn, a shoelace, or string in and out in a lacing pattern. Using cards in various geometric shapes makes this a Sensorial and pre¬math activity.
On pages 441-442 you will find sheets of Lacing Shapes Cutouts. Print and cut these out and, using a single hole punch, let your child punch holes equal distances apart around the edges - an activity in itself. Tie a knot in one end of a shoelace and show your child how to go up and down through the holes to lace her way around each shape.
The shapes can be laced and tied together to make a mobile to hang in your child’s room or in your living room for all to see and appreciate. Make more shapes on your own.
The project shown at top left comes from the great blog Tot School.
Animal templates are used to cut thin foam crafts sheets. Holes are punched around the edges.
L & R top Photos: Tot School
The fun lacing material in the next photo is at Counting Coconuts.
Images of the sun and clouds from Google (search sun graphics, cloud graphics, moon graphics, etc) were printed onto paper and laminated, then punched for lacing. You could also glue the sheets onto cardboard and cut them out.
Your child will want to learn to lace his own shoes. Turn a pair into an activity simply by putting them in a basket, as shown. Give your child a demonstration and let her practice whenever she likes. It may take a few tries before she masters the crossing pattern - that’s all part of the work and achievement. Video: Lacing shoes is fun!