Uses Of Hook And Loop As An Educational Tool
One of the biggest obstacles for parents and educators is finding new and innovative ways to teach and enrich the lives of our youth. That’s why it is very important that we think outside the box, and today we are filling that box with hook and loop by exploring some creative ways to use it.
What is Hook And Loop?
It is simply two layers: a "hook" side, which is a piece of fabric covered with tiny hooks, and a "loop" side, which is covered with even smaller and "hairier" loops. When put together they serve as a way to adhere things. You might be wondering how you can use this material, and we have many examples.
5 Creative Ways To Use Hook And Loop as an Educational Tool
1. 3D Embellishment: A great idea for encouraging creativity
We use everything from paint to food to help our children create artwork, so why not make use of hook and loop? The way you can incorporate this into their art activities is to add 3D embellishment to their art. For a child who is making a piece of art that has a forest in it, why not have cutouts of trees and adhere them to the piece of artwork with hook and loop. This helps the child’s work really come alive. You can even use this idea for reusable artwork. Have a few different backdrop canvases and have your child create different cutouts that can be used to create different scenes on the backdrop. The great thing about that is, when the day is over, you can take the cutouts off and they have a blank canvas to create a new project tomorrow.
2. 3D Scrapbooking: A unique way to display memories
To help children think outside the box, create a 3D scrapbook. This helps your child create a timeline of events, but with hook and loop. Print out a bunch of pictures from a family vacation, summer camp or even a slew of pictures from their soccer team. Have them create a timeline of how the season played out, or where the vacation was and have them attach corresponding pictures to the pages (you can buy blank scrapbooks from a craft store). The project will help them create, share and remember the events in their life.
3. Chore Boards: Learn responsibility while having fun
To help teach your child responsibility in a fun way, create a chore board using hook and loop. Listing chores and telling your child they must do them can sometimes be ineffective…So make it a little game! Create different cutouts that represent chores. For example, a cutout of a sink means it is their turn to do dishes. Use hook and loop to place the board on the wall, as well as attach each chore in the “to be done” column. Once the chore is complete, it gets to be moved into the “accomplished” category.
4. Reward Board: Great for teachers and moms alike
You can also use hook and loop to create a reward board. This is something that can be used in the classroom (for teachers), or your home. Create a system of earning: every time a child completes something they get one of the things to adhere to the board. Make a game of it by having different reward levels on the board. After enough accomplishments they advance to the next level, which constantly challenges a child. The more fun they are having with it, the more they will be compelled to participate and do the chore, homework or whatever else you are trying to get them to complete.
5. Create Math Boards: Make learning fun for your little one
You can use hook and loop to help make school subjects more fun. For example: Create a MATH board, several numbers (one through ten) backed with hook and loop, a few plus and minus signs (or divide and multiply if you are at that level), and an equals sign. Use the board to put different math problems up. Making a game out of math by using visual elements will help encourage what could otherwise be a very discouraging subject.
These are just a few examples of the many ways you can incorporate hook and loop in to teaching your child valuable skills. Now all you need to start your projects some hook and loop for your art supply bin. It can be bought at your local office supply store, or if you are looking for a very wide variety of sizes to use, the web has entire sites devoted to the material. Happy learning!
