Monday is a preschool day here

From 9 until 2 in theory

Esther and William are not often there

Before half past nine

When they get home

About half past two

They like to have a quiet activity to do

They like having an Invitation to Play

This week and one day last week

We did some lacing and threading

Focusing on minibeasts

To develop our fine motor skills

We have some lovely Eric Carle lacing cards

And some Nature Threading Beads from Tidlo

Both of these are activities that Esther and William can do independently

Though it is much more fun when we all play together

When using the lacing cards

I show Esther and William how to tie a knot in their thread

How to secure the thread before they start

They love to chase my fingers

Using this as a fun interactive guide from hole to hole

I often give my fingers a voice

It makes the activity more fun and interactive

And creative too

Once they have got the hang

Of up and down and the rhythm of threading

They are happy to carry on alone

I love watching them at their work

Their faces full of focus and concentration

Threading is a lovely activity for quieter times

You can find beads and lacing cards for many topics

We have numbers and letters

Colours and shapes

Animals and insects and nature beads

Threading is great for preschoolers like mine

As it develops their fine motor skills

Sometimes with William his gross motor too!

Threading develops the muscles in the hand as children grasp and grip beads of different shapes and sizes. This makes threading a great pre writing exercise

Threading also requires concentration and develops children’s hand eye coordination as they push and pull the thread through the holes

Threading requires a level of determination and wanting to succeed in getting a job done. It is repetitive and enables children to learn a transferable skill.

It encourages discussion and planning and problem solving skills especially when the beads are linked to a topic that the children are interested in.

Threading is also great for creating end products that children are proud of. Esther was so pleased with her ladybird lacing that she made it into a necklace. It was very sweet indeed.

Our Minibeast and Motor Skill Monday activities are working really well.

This week is very late as our Monday was a nightmare when Esther had a febrile convulsion.

This Monday coming I will be sharing some of our favourite Minibeast books.

I hope that you will join us then.