Paper Chains

Tape is something we’re used to as adults, but children are absolutely, 100% NUTS for it. There’s something intriguing about being trusted with a material they see adults using, but is rarely made available to them. Given that, we decided to build a class around tape and paper!

The prompt was Paper Chains! We brought strips of paper and they got busy choosing solid masking tape to connect their chain together.

NEW SKILL ALERT: Ripping Tape

We love teaching children how to rip tape because it’s so simple and so empowering. Here are the steps we outlined today that you can practice at home too.

1) Pull the piece taught for them.

2) Get “pincers” ready (forefingers and thumbs).

3) Put pincers right next to each other on the stretched out piece.

4) Rip in opposite directions.

They might be resistant to trying it on their own at first, but if you encourage them to keep at it, it will be so satisfying and confidence-building :) You can use language like, “You didn’t know how to do this and then you practiced and now you do!”