Having Fun Threading

Materials Required

1. Empty toilet rolls
2. Cut up egg cartons with holes poked in them
3. Leaves with holes poked in them
4. Cardboard tubes cut into small segments
5. Cardboard cut into shapes with hole in the centre
6. Use whatever items you have that can be threaded on a piece of string, wool or shoelace
7. String, wool, ribbon or shoelace lengths for threading
8. Coloured beads for children with increased strength and control in their hands and fingers, Fishing line for threading into fine beads (optional)

Preparation

Collect the materials you will use for your threading activity – Cut up any cardboard or cardboard tubes into smaller pieces – Punch holes though each item – Cut string or wool into lengths of about 40cm – Tie a bead or something similar on the end of each length of wool to stop everything falling off when threaded

Method (or Ideas)

1. Have a selection of materials available on a table.
2. Encourage your child to thread the wool or string through the hole of the item they select.
3. The larger the hole the easier it is to thread, also making the thread short by holding it near the end provides greater control of the thread.
4. Demonstrate how to do this- let them watch you.
5. You may need to sit with your child initially to offer support and modelling until they become independent with this skill.

Facilitation Tips – What To Say

• Watch me – see how I hold the string in this hand and the bead in this hand.
• How many objects do you have on your string?
• Can you make the same pattern as me- look red, blue, red (optional addition).

Extend the Experience

• Introduce the concept of patterns. This may be done by creating your own pattern and ask your child what comes next e.g. red, blue, red, blue… what comes next?
• Introduce different types of patterns e.g. ABABA, AABBAABB, ABCABCABC etc.
• Both you and your child create a pattern and challenge one another to finish the pattern

WHO Guidelines for Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour

Walking around the house inside and outside to collect items will promote physical activity.

Early Years Learning Framework

Outcomes

1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity
2. Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
3. Children feel safe, secure, and supported

Principle

Principle 1: Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships. Through a widening network of secure relationships, children develop confidence and feel respected and valued.

Practice

Practice: Learning through play. Play can expand children’s thinking and enhance their desire to know and to learn. In these ways play can promote positive dispositions towards learning. Children’s immersion in their play illustrates how play enables them to simply enjoy being.