Beading

Beading is a great activity for developing eye hand coordination, visual attention,motor coordination,finger movements,pincer and tripod grasp and bilateral integration . But to be frank many kids detest doing this activity since it requires a lot of attention atleast during the learning phase . There are many forms ,shapes and sizes of beads available in the market.

Demonstrate the activity of beading to the child .

Choose the biggest bead of the lot and then ask the child to hold the bead in one hand( preferably left) and the string on the other hand( preferably right).This itself in some cases may take more than 5-6 sessions, since holding a bead depends on the sensory issues and the interest of the child.Use a stiff string initially so that the child first understands the concept of beading and the scope of success is higher .

Now physically prompt the child to insert the string through the hole of the bead.The size of the hole of the bead and the thickness of the string should be proportional , the string should not be too thin . Ask he child to hold string at a comfortable distance .Now prompt the child to string the bead. Initially let the length of the string be small .

If in case you feel that the child's level is lower than this , you hold the string and ask the child to just rop the bead in the string . Then slowly make him hold the string and bead.

Once the child is able to focus on the bead and is able to coordinate and string the bead, decrease the size of the bead and decrease the stiffness of the string.Make it more challenging .

Sometimes a child might take months to master this activity , but even if the child strings one bead appreciate he child's effort , for this is not an easy task for them . Both forward chaining and backward chaining techniques can be used depending on the level of the child and the comfort of the child .Though chaining techniques are mainly used in ADL's , they prove effective in teaching concepts like beading as well .

Initially just make the child string 2-3 beads and then slowly increase the number of beads.

Concepts like " following simple instruction ", colors, shapes,following a sequence can all be generalized using this beading activity .