What are the benefits of beads and what beading activities are suitable for children? Much! Each stage of development throughout childhood brings with it different abilities and skills.

THE VERY LITTLE BOY

The very young child, from 3 to 4 years old, is usually already taking care of small items. They like to carefully pick up small objects and place them elsewhere … beetles and other small insects are an example, and they make piles of things and place items from one container to another.

Now they are able to coordinate their sight and hand for these intricate activities, and they are intrigued!

Most new parents would not consider giving their children this age beads to play with. They think they are too small, that they will swallow the beads, that the beads are too advanced for the child …

Those parents who decide to test beads often believe that large, round beads, usually made of wood, are best for young children, as these days the paints used are safe … but if your child decides to try or eat the beads, and although these large beads cannot be easily swallowed, there is a slight chance of suffocation! (Although in all my years of watching young children play with beads, I have never seen one try to swallow a bead … but it’s a good thing not to risk it.)

Large wood beads are expensive too, so I suggest you choose beads that are about 8mm in size (the size of a large pea) and have large holes. This bead size is available in a wide variety of colors … and many shapes.

You can easily buy a selection of this size of beads and a thick elastic (hat). There are also kits of such beads that include various shapes, colors and sizes, and with elastic for threading the beads. They are quick and easy to buy and can provide hours of fun for your child. The beads can be threaded, over and over again … children of this young age generally don’t mind watching their creation come apart, especially if they can still play with the beads and create something else.

Threading these beads is a simple and interesting activity for the young child, and it is a great opportunity to spend quality time between parents and children.

However, these young children can also be encouraged to do even more interesting activities with their accounts.

  • They can put together all the beads of the same color, whatever the shape and size. They learn to recognize colors and color names.
  • The child can then separate these same beads into shapes and sizes. Distinguish between shapes and sizes.
  • Children can put all the beads in one way, but in several colors.
  • Colors and shapes can be alternated as they are threaded onto the elastic.
  • Count beads … 3 red, 1 blue, 3 red, etc. gives another challenge. Simple pattern making.
  • Use of a tray to keep the beads on hand.

The toddler can play with the same beads over and over again, incidentally learning colors, shapes, patterns, and threading. In addition to this, they increase your ability to concentrate.

And once you want to finish for now, turn your threaded beads into a necklace or bracelet. The elastic (once tied by you) is easy to stretch over the hand or head, put it on and take it off, without the help of parents.

All of these above activities help the child to improve:

  • fine motor skills,
  • hand-eye coordination,
  • learn new words,
  • learn about shapes and colors,
  • stay within the confines of a tray when using pearls.
  • having quality fun with a father.

And they also experience:

  • A feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment while placing the finished necklace on your head!

And as in all stages of childhood, BOYS AND GIRLS LOVE PEARLS!

In my next article I will talk about my experiences with beading and its benefits when making beading with young school-age children.