Threading is an activity that allows children to express their creativity and make wearable art. When choosing the material they want to use, children make choices about what colour, texture, and size, and also think about patterning and repetition, all while developing their fine motor skills by using their little fingers to hold the beads/ straws and thread.

A simple threading activity involves cut-up straws. These pieces are the perfect size to fit in preschoolers' fingers while pulling a lacing thread through.

Steps:

1. Cut up a straw to make one-inch pieces. Choose colorful straws to make it more interesting for the child

2. You can use a variety of materials for threading such as wool, string, a shoelace, thin plastic tubing, or fine wire for older children

3. Tie a knot in the end of the thread or tie a large bead instead to prevent the materials slipping off during threading

4. Ask your child to thread the straw pieces to make an interesting neck-piece/ bracelet!