By changing the shape, size, and materials you use to create lacing cards, you can help your child to practice their hand-eye coordination. Preschoolers can use thick craft foam and shoelaces or craft laces. Start with geometric shapes and then try animal shapes. Children can work their way up to lacing two pieces of foam together to create a simple pouch. The lacing motion can also be a first step toward using a child-appropriate plastic sewing needle.
Simple Lacing Shapes
Materials
- Thick craft foam
- Shoelaces or craft laces (found at the craft store)
- Paper punch
- Pencil
- Shapes to trace
- Scissors
- You can start off with simple shapes such as triangles, circles, and squares. Start with large shapes that nearly require the sheet of craft.
- Use the paper punch to make holes around the edge of the shape. Slide the paper punch in as far from the edge as you can and space the holes approximately one-inch apart.
- Give the foam shapes to your child and show them how to lace the shape around the edge. You can then unlace the shape and explain that they will reuse the shapes and the laces.
- Some children may want to lace across the shape; since they are still working on hand-eye coordination, you can decide whether you want to insist on them lacing around the shape.
- When your child can manage simple shapes, try creating slightly more complex shapes, such as hearts and stars. When the lacing shapes you make become easy for your child, try reducing the size of the shapes.
- Look online for simple animal shapes and print the pages. Tape the pages to the sheet of craft foam and cut out the shape.
- Use the paper punch to make holes around the edge of the shape. Avoid punching holes in small areas, such as tails and legs, where the holes on the opposite sides of the shape would be close enough to create confusion or frustration, particularly if that part of the lacing card tore off.
- As your child’s coordination improves, you can try using thinner sheets of craft foam that require more dexterity to manipulate.
Lacing Projects
By lacing two pieces of foam together, your child can make a pouch or a simple purse. Since your child will place items within this craft, the holes should be closer together.
- Cut out two rectangles or two half circles. The size will depend on the project your child wants to make and what they will hold inside their pouch or purse.
- Punch holes around the edges so the holes are half an inch apart. Remember to leave one side free of holes so your child can place things inside their pouch. Make certain the holes on the two shapes match one another. To do this, punch the holes in one shape and then line it up with the other shape. Use a pencil or pen to mark where to place the holes on the other sheet of craft foam.
- Have your child lace around the shape. If your child is ready, you can thread a plastic sewing needle with yarn and allow your child to sew the two shapes together.
- If desired, add a craft lace or yarn handle or strap. You can braid together strands to make a wider, sturdier handle.
Lacing with craft foam can be an inexpensive and reusable project for parents to create for their young children and children who need to work on their dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Your child can select shapes and then you can make lacing cards in themes that interest your child.
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