Immy loves threading and when I shared last week on the Childhood 101 Facebook page that Immy was threading, one friend asked where I had sourced the supplies we were using.
Often before we begin, Immy and I have a ‘threading hunt!’ Looking for items from around our home that are suitable for threading (Immy knows that they need a hole large enough for her chunky needle and thread to fit through). Our searching sees us hunting through everything from stationery drawers to toolboxes in the garage!
Here is a list of what Immy used for her most recent threading activity;
- Large, blunt needle and embroidery thread. I tie the thread to the needle so that it cannot slip off and tie one of the threading objects to the other end of the string as a stopper
- Buttons – our collection includes buttons that have been gifted to us from my grandmother and buttons from a local, large craft/haberdashery store
- Cotton reels – some are recycled sewing supplies and some were purchased as a bag of multi-sized wooden reels from a large craft/haberdashery store
- Commercial beads – most of these have been re-purposed from old costume jewelry and my own craft supplies
- Homemade clay beads – you will find a tutorial for making clay beads with your child in the first issue of Play Grow Learn
- Bolts and washers raided from Dad 101’s supply in the garage
- Old keys and key ring loops
- Parts from flat packs that we never quite worked out what they were for or decided we didn’t need 🙂
- Paperclips
Threading is a great fine motor activity for preschoolers, requiring hand-eye co-ordination and control of the muscles of the hand and fingers. And it is a great quiet time activity for those moments when everything needs to slow down and re-centre 🙂
Why not plan a threading hunt at your house today!
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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
We do threading too! I have gone out with many an “unusual” piece around my neck. When their fine motor skills get a bit better we “make” our own beads by cutting straw into 2cm lengths, and there is always good old pasta too!
I had forgotten to try straws, Jo! Thank you for the reminder 🙂
Will chose some buttons from the fabric shop yesterday and has been threading with them, so this is perfect timing for us! Threading hunting here we come!
Have fun on your threading hunt! Would love to see the results 🙂
What a great idea! I’ll have to remember this one. 🙂 The hodgepodge basket looks like fun.