Threading Activities for Kids

Threading is a really simple activity to set up for your little one which really helps support their hand/eye co-ordination. We often use threading activities in Little Learners sessions as even the smallest hands can have a go at it!

Threading is a great activity to develop fine motor skills – which as we all know, are crucial to development – not just for activities such as doing up your shoes, but writing, drawing and other small-scale activities. It also develops their concentration skills and helps them become a more focussed learner. Hand/eye co-ordination is important for children to develop over time – they will initially learn how to grasp objects and then build up to move complex activities such as eating (using cutlery), playing games and learning how to do things such as plaiting.

How can I introduce threading activities?

In the image above, you can see I am supporting a little one threading Cheerios onto spaghetti. This is positioned in some playdough – not only does the playdough keep the spaghetti stable, using a food item is a huge motivator! I haven’t asked her to order or sequence any of the Cheerios; it is simply a case of learning that things can be threaded.

What else can you use apart from cereal?

Beads (I love these Melissa and Doug ones), buttons (colourful ones can be found here) – anything with a hole can go onto a string! Even natural items such as leaves; take a single hole punch out with you for a walk – you’ll be amazed at what you can collect!

Once your child has mastered threading onto a string, it’s time to try a more advanced movement. Use threading cards such as these ones from Smart Kids offer a robust way to practise a simple up and down movement, similar to sewing. Thick, colourful shoelaces going through a plastic backing means that these skills can be practised again and again. Remember, it doesn’t have to be PERFECT – your little one will build up competence the more they practise.

As your child becomes more competent at this, you can even make your own threading cards – here are some I made for school recently when we were learning the story of the Gingerbread Man, I simply printed a template onto card, cut around it and punched some holes using a hole punch!

Using plastic needles and wool or string rather than cotton makes it easier for the child to track where their next movement needs to be (travelling upwards or down).

Don’t forget to check out your local Little Learners class here to see what they have to offer too.

Have fun!

Anita

Little Learners South Colchester