Large Bead Stringing is one of the first works within Practical Life’s Care of the Environment. Lacing toys provide a powerful yet simple exercise that develops fine motor skills as well as concentration and focus.
With patterning, Lacing Beads also provide a young child exposure to early math. Bead stringing is a great activity to bring into your classroom and packs a punch with child development. Plus, bead stringing strengthens the development of hand-eye coordination.
Stringing beads is an engaging activity for toddlers and preschoolers. You can put together lacing beads for toddlers in a simple, easy, non-expensive way.
If you’re looking for beads for kids, further down in this post are my recommendations on stringing beads for toddlers and preschoolers. Montessori Services offers a variety of bead stringing resources as well.
Watch the Large Bead Stringing Lesson
Learn the Sewing Sequence
- Large Bead String
- Sewing Cards
- Measuring Thread
- Introducing Threads
- Embroidery
Large Bead Stringing Lesson
The age of the child for this lesson ranges from 3 to 6 years old. The lesson includes a basket of large wooden beads & laces. Finally, there are no prerequisites.
Invite the child, retrieve a rug and have the child carry the basket to meet you.
Show child tip of the string: “Stiff like a needle.” Explain the purpose of the “keeper” bead.
Show the child the hole. Hold the bead with a sub-dominant hand and push the tip of the string through the hole with your forefinger and thumb.
- Pull the string through each bead until it meets the “keeper” bead: “Click” as each bead touches.
- To unstring, slide one bead off the string at a time and place it in the basket.
- Wrap string around hand loosely and place in the basket.
- Offer the child a turn.
- Make the activity more challenging by using smaller beads
Control of Error:
- String not going through the hole
- Going through the bead more than once
Points of Interest:
- Watching the lace come through the other end of the bead
- Making a string bead necklace
- The sound of the beads hitting one another
- Using every one of the beads in the basket
Direct Aims:
- Coordination
- Order
- Concentration
- Independence
Indirect Aims:
Preparation for sewing
Language:
Tip, through, hole, sew, keeper bead
Pretty simple, right?
Marnie