Craft sticks are the perfect creative learning resource because they’re cheap, easy to store and have plentiful learning opportunities in the classroom.
They help to develop little one’s fine motor skills but can also be used creatively to encourage early maths, literacy and general play - all of which are so important in early years development.
We have a range of matchsticks and lollipops for you to choose from. Here’s a little about how you could use them as creative learning resources in your classroom…
Creative learning resources: matchstick maths
Lollipop sticks and matchsticks make amazing resources for maths activities, with plenty of hands-on play for little fingers.
To keep it simple, you can use either type of stick for teaching shapes. Give children a pile of sticks and draw shapes on the board to mimic with their sticks, for example, using three to make a triangle or four to make a square. Or you can use a colourful pen and draw half a shape on one lollipop stick and the other half on another and have children match the shapes and colours to each other to create 2D shapes and patterns!
Use lollipop sticks as a creative learning resource for early addition. You can place sticker dots on the sticks, write numbers on the others and have children match up the number written down to the number of dots on the other sticks. Or if you don’t have sticker dots, use tallies instead for children to add up and match the number.
There are plenty of creative ways to use matchsticks and lollipop sticks as resources for teaching maths, so explore and find what works for you.
Creative learning resources: lollipop literacy
Move over numbers; it’s time to get creative with learning literacy, and we’ve got the resources you need.
Write different words on lollipops (appropriate for the age you’re teaching) and have them in a pot. Each child can take turns picking a lollipop, saying the word aloud, or sounding out the letters. Take it one step further by adding wooden pegs into the mix - with individual letters of the alphabet written on them. Children can pick out a lollipop stick word, then have to find the right letters on the pegs to spell out the word and peg them onto the stick. Learning to spell and honing those fine motor skills? Perfect.
Have you tried rhyming word dominoes? We know this is a fun literacy game for children and teachers. It comprises CVC words (single syllable, three sounds) written on each side of the sticks. Children draw a stick and try to match the rhyming words with each other, like the numbers on dominoes. This is an activity that can be done in a group or individually!
Creative learning resources: stick play
Sometimes creative learning can be just played, and these little wooden sticks are a great classroom play learning resource.
You can make puppets, people or dolls with sticks. Or you can make playing cards by writing the card number and suit on the end of the stick. You can print pictures, stick them to the sticks and then separate them to create a photo puzzle to piece together.
Have a healthy competition by seeing who can build the tallest matchstick tower, which is excellent for fine motor skills development and engaging creative and practical skills. Or even challenge children to build a house with matchsticks or lollipop sticks. There’s always lots to be learned through play.
Stock up on your creative learning resources
Take a look at our lollipop and matchstick collection below and refill your drawers and cupboard with these surprisingly simple creative learning resources.
If you have any questions or simply want to springboard some ideas with somebody, don’t be afraid to get in touch with one of our helpful team members today.
