The children in the after and before school program at RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Patrick have been enjoying beading and crafting over the past month. We have been enjoying using melting beads, pony beads, and other types of beads to make animal creations, Pokémon, shapes, bracelets, and different types of art. The children have also been using rainbow loom to create with, they have been practicing putting beads and ornaments on the rainbow loom creations. 

 Some of the children have been helping the others to learn some of the beaded craft techniques and master skills. They have been learning through their friends and their learned experiences and being very creative and learning new skills. The children have been doing many art activities and being social with their friends by discussing what they are doing in a group. We have continued our interest in beading and stringing and thought of new ideas and items we could purchase to expand this interest. We looked through the Avron Canada magazine to find these things. We also looked on Pinterest for new activity ideas we can try. 

 Narin is our second teacher in the room and did some wonderful stringing activities with the children. We did a paper heart medallion stringing craft and a basket weaving stringing craft. The children were proud of their work and proud that they learned a new skill.

 Children in school age like to learn real skills and master new concepts. They are increasing their problem solving skills by challenging themselves to navigate string through small holes and slits. They are learning patience and concentration by fostering focus and perseverance as children work through and complete tasks. The children are strengthening their fine motor skills by using their small finger muscles, they are practicing hand eye coordination when using precise coordinate

movements. These tasks require bilateral coordination by encouraging both sides of the body to work together. Beading introduces concepts like sorting by colour, shape or size, as well as creating patterns.