Episode Seven - Stringing Beads

Episode 7 is the first of our recipes focused on the fine motor skills required for tactile engagement and exploration! Here we look at a simple yet fun activity - stringing beads. With this recipe we can we work on finger strength and dexterity, as well as on simple patterning skills. 

This episode can be viewed in the video player above and is also posted on the PRCVI YouTube channel where you will find links to other resources as well as the comments thread for this video.

Linked here is a PDF version of the Stringing Beads recipe. 

Key ingredients

• String of medium thickness (or thin shoelace, yarn)
  • Three pipe cleaners to provide more structure than string
• Duct tape or electrical tape
• Cardboard circle or plastic container lid
• A variety of objects to thread:
  • Toilet paper roll cut into rings
  • Cardstock paper cut into strips and taped or glued into rings
  • Cheerios or similar loop cereal
  • Beads of various sizes and shapes
  • Baking tray or another tray with raised edges
  • Muffin tin or containers

Mixing it together

• For children who need a sturdy thread: lay pipe cleaners parallel to one another and twist them together to form a sturdy thread.
• Tie a knot at one end of the string; if threading larger objects, add a cardboard circle or plastic container lid with a hole in the middle as a stopper.
• Wrap tape around the other end of the thread or pipe cleaners to make it easier to thread through holes.
• Use a baking tray or other tray with raised sides as a work surface.

Topping off the recipe

• Organize objects to thread in a muffin tin or containers that are in a consistent location that’s easy to reach.
• Thread larger objects onto the pipe cleaners, or larger and smaller objects onto the string.
• Get creative and make a necklace or decoration for hanging.
• Create simple repeating patterns with different objects.