First, you need to make a base for the rug. It can be of any shape. It is most convenient to sew a rectangular rug, since it only requires folding a piece of fabric in half and stitching along the edges.
The developmental mat should be made using synthetic padding. It will be much more pleasant and comfortable for a child to play with such a thing.
To make the rug truly cute and childish, its edges can be additionally decorated with decorative triangles made from the main and finishing fabrics.To make them, you should cut out squares with a side of 10 cm, and iron them in half diagonally, and then again in half diagonally.
The edges of the prepared base should be stitched and, if necessary, ironed a little. You shouldn’t get too carried away with ironing a product made with padding polyester, since the insulation under the influence of high temperature irreversibly shrinks, becomes flat and hard.
Once the base of the rug is completely ready, you can begin assembling the developing elements.
When playing with a rug, a child must develop fine motor skills, so each element of the product should be aimed specifically at this. In addition, the game should be interesting. Therefore, elements can also carry the effect of surprise or unexpectedness.
You can, for example, hide some interesting button under a felt square, barely noticeable in the cut. To see it better, the child will need to push the corners of the felt layer apart.
A good workout would be miniature lacing. By tucking the ribbon into the loops, the child will train his fingers very well.
Fastening a loop on a button is another option for a simulator for developing fine motor skills.
Tying a bow is not an easy task, but it is very important, especially for a girl, so this element is simply necessary to do.
You can develop motor skills not only by doing various small tasks, but also by touching different materials. You can combine different types of ribbons and cords in one element. It will turn out very interesting, and most importantly, it will help the child feel the difference between them, because everything is learned by comparison.
A plastic transparent case in the shape of a heart - a candle package - plays the role of a rattle - the multi-colored beads contained in it hit the walls and make noise.
You can hide a surprise under a modest-looking felt square - you just have to press it well with your finger and the squeaker will make itself known.
In the central part of the rug you can place an impromptu flower meadow. Flowers and leaves can be made using a wide variety of techniques, the most important thing is that they attract the child’s attention. Some flowers can be fixed on the carpet without being able to remove them, and some must be made removable - let them be attached using beads, buttons, snaps, Velcro - all this will only be beneficial by training little fingers.
Of particular interest to young children are always the so-called “Iskalochki” - elements with small beads, among which interesting buttons, beads and other little things are hidden. By moving the beads with his fingers, the child finds the elements hidden in them.
A separate element can be devoted to practicing the skill of unsticking Velcro. This will require some effort and concentration from a small child, but in the near future this new skill will be useful to him more than once in everyday life.
Fastening and unfastening a zipper - this exercise also cannot be ignored. To practice it, you can sew a small pocket. And to make it even more interesting, you can decorate the outside with funny appliqués and hide some interesting elements inside.
Probably not a single flower meadow is complete without beautiful butterflies. At a small distance from the flowers, you can applique a colorful butterfly, making it antennae with moving beads.
There are a huge variety of design options for educational mats. It all depends on the capabilities and imagination of the needlewoman.But, no matter how the educational textile rug turns out, the main thing is that it brings joy and benefit to its little owner.
