My Friendship Bracelet Maker

Product Description

Cognitive 4

Skills

• Concentration and focus are used to follow the steps to create each row of knots.
• Children create two knots on each of the eight thread strands for each row. Children can use counting to count the number of knots on each thread and the number of knots on each row.
• Sequential thought processing is practiced as children loop and pull to make two knots on each thread, move the thread over on the Bracelet Maker, and tie two knots on the next thread and so on.

Play Ideas

• Create bracelets to give to friends for birthdays and holidays.
• Create a collar for your favorite stuffed animal.
• Create matching bracelets for you and your doll.
• Create matching bracelets for you and your best friend, caregiver or sibling.

Adaptation Ideas

• To help children work on attention, set a timer or use music to determine the duration for a child to focus on this activity. When the timer rings, or when a caregiver turns off the music, the activity is done for that day.
• Lessen distractions from the room by turning off the television while a child is using this Bracelet Maker.
• Sit with the child and provide the level of assistance needed such as hand-over-hand assistance, verbal cues, pointing reminders, etc.
• Alter the number of threads a child uses for her bracelet based on her abilities and attention span. The bracelet will be thinner using fewer threads.  Up to ten threads can be used (5 strands folded in half) for each bracelet.

Physical 2

Skills

• Eye-hand coordination is used to loop a thread around another to tie a knot. It is also used to continually move threads on the Bracelet Maker.
• Refined finger grasp is used to hold the threads and tie the knots.
• Bilateral coordination is used as children hold a thread in one hand and loop another thread around it to make a knot.

Adaptation Ideas

• Take turns tying knots or take turns with each step. Some children may have difficulty looping the thread to make a knot, but can pull it up tight. Allow the child to do the steps she is capable and comfortable completing.
• Sit with the child and provide the level of assistance needed such as hand-over-hand assistance, verbal cues, pointing reminders, etc.

Social/Emotional 4

Skills

• Eye contact and social interaction can take place when presenting a friend with a homemade bracelet.
• Verbal communication can be encouraged when presenting a friend with a homemade bracelet.

Play Ideas

• Create bracelets to give to friends for birthdays and holidays.
• Create a collar for your favorite stuffed animal.
• Create matching bracelets for you and your doll.
• Create matching bracelets for you and your best friend, caregiver or sibling.