Do you find it challenging to find age appropriate learning activities for your tot or preschooler? I do too! I am here to bring you this simple and FUN activity that targets many beneficial areas along the way! My little one is not in school yet, but I feel it is my job to have her as prepared as possible for when she is! I give props to teachers who have to teach 25+ little ones the ABC’S, because it is not easy!

MATERIALS:

One pool noodle- can find at your local dollar store
Basket-Also from the dollar store!
String
Sharpie
Knife- to cut pool noodle

BEFORE YOU START:

Cut your pool noodle into 27 pieces. Write each letter of the alphabet on noodles! Cut a long piece of string and tie it to your extra noodle.

Simple Threading Activity for Toddlers:

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

Threading activities are fantastic fine motor activities!

Threading activities are great to strengthen those hands! This is important for writing skills. This simple activity promotes various grasp techniques, including pincer grasp and a “3-jaw chuck”! This is one of the simpler threading activities as the pool noodle has a large hole for the string. Although the hole is large, loose string is still challenging for your tot to thread, it requires precision!

Bilateral Coordination

Bilateral coordination activities are coordinated movements that require BOTH hands. When both hands work together at the same time it requires processing of both hemispheres of the brain! This is a powerful skill to have as it enables functional skills like self feeding, dressing handwriting and more! Threading pool noodles requires the use of both hands! Both hands thread the string, and pull it through. Encourage your little one to thread the noodle until it hits the bottom. This will engage great range of motion and coordination skills.

EYE-HAND COORDINATION

This threading activity requires your little ones eyes and hands to work together. Having good hand eye coordination can help your little one in many different areas of life including sports, handwriting, reading, play and life skills. We need our eyes to guide our hands practically all day! It is a good skill to have!

ABC SEQUENCING ACTIVITY For Toddlers:

Sequencing letters of the alphabet

Sequencing is the ability to arrange things in a particular order. Learning the order of letters of the alphabet is an important skill for kids. Most children learn the “alphabet song” at a young age to help remember the order of the alphabet! This is another fun way to sequence letters for alphabet practice!

Letter Recognition For Toddlers

Most children learn to recognize letters between 3 and 4 but that does not mean your toddler (2) wont recognize them. I first introduced letters to Aliza early on with Alphabet flashcards! She recognizes majority of the alphabet but still needs some practice. This was a great way to challenge her as all of the letters were scrambled in the bucket and she really had to search for the letter!

Visual Scanning

This activity also worked on her visual perceptual skills! Visual scanning is the ability to actively look for something relevant in your environment. Basically using your vision to look for something. During this activity, I would tell Aliza to find a certain letter and she would have to scan her bucket to find what she is looking for. This is a great cognitive skill to train in your little one!

WOW! SO MANY BENEFITS TO THIS ACTIVITY! Now that’s what I’m talking about. A fun, simple, cheap, creative and beneficial activity for your toddler. They will feel a sense of accomplishment when it is completed which is great for their self esteem!! ENJOY!

-@cota_mom