Cheerios Counting Necklace
Infants develop fine motor through food exploration.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Summer Time
- Learning area: Mathematics
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Explore Cheerios textures
- practise pincer grasp.
Instructions
Materials
- Sturdy yarn or thick cotton cord cut into 12-inch lengths.
- Large, round, toasted oat cereal loops.
- Masking tape to secure one end of the yarn.
- A small plastic tray or bowl for the cereal.
- A clean, soft floor mat for seated engagement.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate interest in tactile sensory materials.
- Practise reaching and grasping movements to hold objects.
- Observe the teacher modelling the action of placing an object onto a string.
- Develop hand-eye coordination through repetitive placement.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Secure the infants on a soft floor mat to ensure they are stable and comfortable.
2. Tape one end of the yarn to the floor or a low table to prevent the cereal from sliding off.
3. Place a small handful of cereal loops in a bowl within the infant's reach.
4. Allow the infant to explore the texture and shape of the cereal pieces with their hands.
5. Model the activity by picking up one piece of cereal and sliding it slowly onto the yarn.
6. Narrate the action clearly by saying, "One cereal, on the string."
7. Guide the infant's hand gently to pick up a piece of cereal if they show interest.
8. Encourage the infant to attempt to thread the cereal onto the yarn, providing physical assistance as needed.
9. Keep the session short, as infants have limited attention spans for structured tasks.
10. Remove the necklace from the infant's reach immediately after the activity to ensure safety.
Educator Tip
Infants at this age explore primarily through their mouths. Always supervise closely to prevent choking and ensure the cereal is fresh and firm. If an infant is not yet ready to thread, focus the activity on the sensory experience of grasping and dropping the cereal into the bowl.
Assessment
- Observe if the infant tracks the movement of the cereal with their eyes.
- Note if the infant attempts to grasp the cereal using a palmar or pincer grasp.
- Record whether the infant shows sustained interest in the repetitive motion of the activity.
Assessment
Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Observe pincer grasp development.