At 22 months, Gus is super into threading beads. It’s one of the first works he gravitates toward each day. At any given time he can be found stringing his beads over and over again. And he’s constantly asking for “more, more” to thread.
I love bead threading for a few different reasons. One, it’s amazingly flexible. It’s a work that can stick with your children for a long time with just a few changes. Two, it’s a great precursor to a lot of practical sewing work. Three, it’s just great fine motor work that increases concentration and focus.
Bead threading can look a lot of different ways but you essentially need two things - beads and something to thread. You have options in either case!
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Beads: Here you can start with larger beads or even rings with larger holes and eventually move your way to smaller beads. A possible progression could look like this:
Cut straw
Over time, the beads and holes get smaller. The purpose for the beads can get more and more practical - eventually moving to necklace and bracelet making and embroidery.
Threaders: At first with threads you want to offer some support for your child to be successful. Starting with a shoe string for example, is actually going to be a big task. Instead try starting with a pipe cleaner, breast pump tubing, or a string with a guide (like the one Gus has*). Then, eventually, you could move to a shoe string, yarn (guided by a needle), or even that plastic thread for jewelry making.
At first, I also make sure to limit the number of beads. I want Gus to be able to finish the work and feel the confidence boost that comes with that. I would rather he repeat the work than have so many beads he can't get to the end. By the time he is working with pony beads (like Nora), a small jar for more open ended work will be fine!
*Gus is threading with a bead set we received c/o of Monti Kids. This post is not sponsored or endorsed, but it is a product that Gus loves.
Do your kids like bead threading? What did you start with?
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