Invitation to Thread: Fine Motor Skills

Have some beading fun with an Invitation to Thread.

Watching toddler skills grow and improve is definitely the best show on TV. I love simple activities that you can do over and over again with your toddler and just watch the magic of growth and learning inside of them. Setting up an Invitation to Thread is one awesome way to watch their fine motor skills develop.

During an Invitation to Thread, you have such an amazing opportunity to watch your toddler’s fine motor skills at work. We do threading games like this all the time, and every day my toddler’s skills are growing more and more.

There’s nothing easier than setting up an Invitation to Thread.

Materials:
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• Pipe cleaners
• Cut up straws
• Large rings / buttons
• Beads

It’s definitely important to note that my toddler is pushing 3 years old, so (under supervision), I’m not worried about him choking on any of these items. For younger toddlers, consider pasta, cheerios, and Froot Loops, and other supplies that don’t pose a threat.

The set up for this activity was as easy as can be. I pulled out some small bowls and filled them with our threading supplies. Next, I gave my toddler the pipe cleaners. I did model how to hold the pipe cleaner while threading, but even just that one “show” was all he needed.

This invitation to thread was a total hit! And totally simple. It was such a calm activity for him and something that he did very quietly and with great concentration. I just sat back and soaked up the sounds of silence.

I chose this activity to really work on fine motor skills for the morning, and this was just the ticket to some fun exercising! The grasping of the small objects, using both hands in the activity, and navigating the bead onto the pipe cleaner are all amazing skills to practice.

For a challenge, I might ask my toddler to sort beads onto each pipe cleaner or (for preschool age) this could be a patterning activity to build their math skills. The possibilities are endless with this “game”.

Creating this simple Invitation to Thread was such a great, calm way to start our day. It got my toddler’s brain and hands going in the morning, and gave us something simple to do. And let me tell you, the pipe cleaners that he made during this invitation to thread are already on their way to Grandma’s house. He was so proud!

Would your toddler enjoy a simple Invitation to Thread?