How to Make Lacing Cards for Preschoolers

Fine motor skills are important to develop for future writing and penmanship. One way to develop fine motor skills is to practice using the small muscles in the hands. Lacing cards are a great way for preschoolers to develop these muscles in a fun way. Lacing cards also further develop hand to eye coordination.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yarn (any color)
• Masking tape
• Single hole punch
• Cereal box with child's favorite character

1. Score out the front part of your child's favorite cereal box. This box might have a special character that your child recognizes. This is environment print awareness, which is shown when preschoolers recognize familiar symbols and understand that the print carries meaning. It develops prereading skills.

2. Use the shape of the box or the shape of the character to determine the size the lacing card. The size of the lacing card also determines the number of holes that can be laced by the preschooler.

3. Take a single hole punch and put holes around the character on the box. The holes can be spaced at about two inch increments. This can vary, based on personal preference.

4. Cut yarn in a length that is approximately seven inches longer than the length you need to string the entire lacing card. When determining the length of the yarn for the lacing card just measure the circumference of the shape, then add seven inches

5. Tie a knot on one end of the string and put masking tape around the other end. The tape makes it easier for the preschooler to string the card.

6. Pick up the string and lace it through the holes.

Tips & Warnings

• Play this game several times a week to strengthen the small muscles in the hand.
• Make several lacing cards and have lacing card races with other preschoolers.
• Observe your child's skills as they try to lace each hole.

Resources

• Find everything you need at wokits.com
• Growing Tree Toys

[starrwd]

on 6/23/2009 Another thing that you can do is to have your child draw a picture, laminate it and punch holes in it. My kids love these.

[pomazoo]

on 7/21/2008 Plastic canvas that you get in the crafts department can be cut to many different shapes or used as is, you can also purchase plastic needles to use with the yarn. They are very soft but make it somewhat easier to use, I have used both materials with children 3-5 with no problems. Alot of the children liked to just make their own designs with the yarn.

[pomazoo]

on 7/21/2008 Plastic canvas that you get in the crafts department can be cut to many different shapes or used as is, you can also purchase plastic needles to use with the yarn. They are very soft but make it somewhat easier to use, I have used both materials with children 3-5 with no problems. Alot of the children liked to just make their own designs with the yarn.

[Jfrank]

on 6/1/2007 I have a nephew that loves to play with these. Great idea!