Fine Motor Art

Perler beads a great medium for kindergartens. The tiny beads are arranged on a spiked grid to form a shape. An adult then irons them down and they are fused into a solid piece of art. They are colourful and highly engaging. 

The tiny beads require a great deal of fine motor precision. The spikes are so small that the slightest bump or mistake can ruin an hour of work. Making a Perler bead creation is an exercise in patience, perseverance and control...in other words, self-regulation. 

Yesterday about 8 children sat for nearly an hour or more working on their creations. They chatted about how to sort the beads, but otherwise the mood was quiet and meditative. 

Some children used their knowledge from math to create patterns and symmetry. 

When finished, the children were proud of their creations, which represented a lot of finger control and self-regulation. 

The creations quickly became phones, iPods, and Nintendo DSs and were embedded into play. 

The projects continue tomorrow.