Count and Lace Fruit is a lacing activity toy by Guidecraft. The set includes 24 brightly colored fruit shaped beads (6 different varieties) for stringing and two long laces with caterpillar shaped wooden needles. There is a round bead “stopper” affixed to the end of the lace to prevent fruit beads from falling off once they have been strung. Fruit pieces and caterpillars are made of rubber wood for durability. Laces are made of sturdy polyester.  The set also includes 10 activity cards which act as creativity guides to encourage various counting and sequencing challenges. Teachers will love these prompts for pattern matching activities.

This activity set is a new take on a classic manipulative toy. Its sturdy, chunky design is great for little hands that are making their first attempts at tackling the fine motor task of lacing. It will be a favorite at home, in early childhood classrooms, daycare centers and other community gathering places where young children benefit from creative activities that enhance development of life skills. Once a child has mastered the fine motor skills required to lace the caterpillar needle through the opening in the fruit (use of both hands together, coordinated manipulation of an object with intent to successfully complete a task, manual dexterity), use of this set can begin to focus on other developmental challenges such as labeling colors, labeling shapes, sorting and matching, counting, and then sequencing with visual prompts. Count and Lace Fruit is ideal for individual and small group play. It can even encourage imaginative storytelling and dialogue about the caterpillar munching through each piece of fruit to satisfy its seemingly insatiable appetite!  Suggested Age: 3+.

Count and Lace Fruit promotes:

Cognitive Development: Labeling of colors and shapes, sorting, matching, and sequencing can all be addressed with this lacing activity set. Visual processing skills are developed when activity cards are incorporated. Imaginative play is inspired.

Fine Motor Development: Engaging manual dexterity by using both hands together is a very important milestone in early childhood. Manipulatives that are easy to grasp are a great place to start. Eye hand coordination is practiced, and life skills are addressed.

Social Development: The set provides all the materials necessary for a small group activity that can inspire interactive language, group problem solving, and creative storytelling.