Expressive art and design - children can thread materials of different shapes, textures and colours.

Thread your lobster clasp onto your cord, approximately 3/5 of the way, and tie a knot (as shown.) The different lengths of the cord will help with your two tiers. Enhances independence - threading toys are often used independently. Children can engage in self-directed play, which fosters a sense of autonomy. Get out your calotte (I had to look up what this was called, before this I knew it as 'one of those crimpy things'), and lay the knot across it. Close the calotte, trapping the knot. Before you do this you may want to fix the knot with a dab of glue or clear nail varnish. I sometimes bother, sometimes I don't! Trim the loose ends. Excuse the fluffy ends on my pic, I didn't have my nice sharp embroidery snips with me. Fold down the loop, trapping your split ring in it.

Learning to count

Enhances creativity - many threading toys will come with a variety of shapes, colours and objects. This can encourage children to get creative with their threading sequences. They're based in convenient locations including supermarkets, newsagents and train stations. Plus they're often open late and on Sundays. of 1mm or 0.5mm waxed cotton cord. (This is much longer than you will need, but trust me, it's just easier having more than less.)

Development of fine motor skills - important for activities like drawing, writing, doing up buttons and more! Bilateral coordination, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination become more developed between 3 to 4 years old, making this the ideal age for lacing activities for children. Items that are not available in store will take 3-5 working days to be delivered to your nominated store. Next, take your ribbon and create a loop at one end by folding it in half and tying a knot halfway down. With the unlooped end, tie onto your wreath, covering the wire knot. Tie into a bow and adjust until pretty! Threading activities support various areas of the development outlined in the EYFS framework. Some ways include:

Problem solving

PSHE - as a successful thread, it promotes a sense of accomplishment, confidence, and competence in overcoming challenges. Teaches maths - threading toys can teach basic maths concepts like patterns, sequencing and number.

I totally think it's possible to make a penguin using this method, so if anyone succeeds please send me a pic! Children can begin using threading toys from the age of 18 months +. To start they may need to thread larger beads or objects with larger threading holes as their motor skills are not as developed. As they get older and refine their motor skills, they should be able to thread regular-sized playing beads with smaller threading holes. What are the benefits of threading toys? Fold your wire in half and start threading your buttons onto the two ended part - one end through each hole. Thread all your buttons on, and then tie the two ends together tightly. Trim the ends of the wire.Progression - as children’s lacing skills improve you can increase the difficulty of activities by progressing from larger lacing holes to small ones or lacing in more complex patterns Communication and language - if threading is guided, it can support the development of listening and speaking skills. Grimms Large Threading Buttons. 24 brightly coloured buttons with two threading holes, also great for building and colour sorting. Comes with two threading cords.