Description:

A set of 18 large, squeezable beads decorated in a rainbow of colors, shapes, patterns and textures will have little hands snapping and unsnapping.  At first, baby will enjoy dumping the beads and pulling strings of beads apart.  Later, as little finger muscles and coordination grow, baby will learn to snap the beads together and even sort them by color, pattern and shape.  Recommended for ages 9+ Months.  Approximate size of beads:  2” x 2” x 2”.

Developmental Benefit:

Bucket of Beads develops motor skills as baby learns to use two hands, coordinating his movements to pull the beads apart and later snap them together.  This type of play helps develop coordination and hand strength.

Play Tips:

• Start by putting two or three beads together.  Show baby how to pull them apart.  Put one end of the beads in your hand and encourage baby to grab the other end and pull for a mini tug-of-war.  This develops baby’s hand strength.
• After baby has learned how to pull the beads apart, teach baby to snap the beads together to develop hand-eye coordination.
• Hand the beads to baby and encourage baby to explore.  Holding things of different shapes, weights and textures helps baby develop refined motor skills.
• As baby gets older, you can play matching games.  Show baby how to match the shapes and colors.  Help baby make a pattern with the beads.  Baby will enjoy making a necklace or little train.