From childhood, I have been obsessed with recycling materials. I love to find a new use, for older things. Today I am showing you how we use vintage wooden knitting needles and beads; to create a game of sequencing, math, color recognition, and fine motor skill play.
I am very thrifty. I got these needles over a period of time from Goodwill Industries. If you have some beads laying around the home, instead of using them with strings, your toddler can mount them on these needles. Knitting needles come in various sizes. I recommend testing the needle through the beads before inviting the children to play. They may get frustrate or welcome the challenge of finding the right needle for the bead’s hole size.
The children in the daycare have been loving this activity and repeatedly asking to make patterns or thread the needle with beads (if there is such a term). We all know toddlers and preschoolers will play with a toy for some time and then it gets obsolete. Having the knitting needle gives playing with beads a new life and advantage. As parents, we sure love to see when they see toys in a new light.
The knit needle and beads are perfect for, toddlers learning their colors and shapes. It helps preschoolers with sequencing by colors or shapes. I use bigger lace beads that are not choking hazards and are easier to hold.
This can be incorporated in small group activities in your preschool. Giving verbal directions or cues helps the activity. The knitting needles are usually at your thrift store. Goodwill remains my first choice of shopping thrift, I truly love the stores in our area.
Let me know how your children liked playing with these. I would recommend supervising your toddlers because of the pointed area of the knitting needle. This is still a cheaper alternative to purchasing the Montessori sequencing kit – Miss Sue:)
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