Stringing Beads

Stringing beads is one of the best ways for little hands to improve fine motor control, dexterity and coordination. There are several ways to let your children do this - and even big kids enjoy stringing beads. Remember it is the process, not the product, but your children might really enjoy making bracelets and necklaces to wear and to give away.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
pipe cleaners, yarn, or spaghetti
beads of all sizes or pasta such as penne that has a hole through the middle

TAPE TO THE TABLE METHOD:
If using pipe cleaners or yarn, tape one end to the table so the beads or pasta won't slide off the end.
This is not possible with spaghetti, but you could stick one end in a small mound of play dough.
Once  the long piece is in place, children can start beading. Watch as their little fingers work as they hold the end of the yarn or string or spaghetti with one hand and slip the beads or pasta on with the other.  If they are making something particular, help them untape one end and join the two together in some kind of not or twist. If they will be repeating the activity, they can just slide the beads off and store for next time.
                                
COLANDER METHOD:
Using a colander to hold pipe cleaners for beading is a genius idea. You will either need to pull pipe cleaners through so that only a few inches are showing or cut the pipe cleaners in half. Leave space between the pipe cleaners so little fingers can grasp and bead. Once pushed through the colander, you will need to bend or tape the ends to give them some stability. Beads can be strung over and over until you need your colander again!
                                                                           
Children can sort and count the beads by colors first as a math activity. Older preschoolers can even follow or make their own patterns with the beads, a great math literacy skill.