If you own a home daycare, it is important to be sure that you have many different ways to keep the children entertained during the day. Beads can serve as a great manipulative for older children. The guide below walks you through a few different ways you can use beads to help children learn and be creative.

Stringing the Beads

The first and most obvious way that beads can be used by children is by stringing them. Stringing the beads onto a piece of thread or rope will help build hand-eye coordination and allow children to be creative at the same time. Be sure to tape off the end of the rope or string to create a point, so the children can easily thread the rope or thread through the opening of the bead to create a necklace or bracelet.

Use Beads for Counting

Beads can be great to use to help children learn to count. Write numbers on flash cards and then draw circles correlating with the number on the card. Draw one circle for the number one, two circles for number two, and so on and so forth. Children can then place one bead in each circle to help them learn how to count properly.

Use Beads for Color Sorting

Beads are often available in many different colors. Purchase an assortment of beads for the children to sort. Paint each section inside of an egg carton a different color and then allow children to use tweezers or a spoon to pick out specific colors and place them in the appropriate color within the egg carton. This is an inexpensive and fun way to help children learn how to identify different colors.

Use Beads for Shake Painting

Roll a piece of paper and place it inside of an empty coffee can. Allow the paper to expand to the inner edges of the can. Allow children to dip beads into paint and then place them into the can. Place a lid onto the can and allow children to shake the can vigorously. Paint will spread onto the paper and create a beautiful design. Remove the paper from the can and allow the paint to dry before allowing children to handle the paper.

Purchase the beads in large quantities to save money on the overall cost of the beads. Only allow children to play with the beads who are old enough to know how to properly handle the beads to ensure safety at all times. Smaller children could put a bead in their mouth during playtime which could create a choking hazard. If you're looking to purchase wholesale beads for your home daycare, contact a company like Mayer Import Co Inc Imitation Stones.