A value-packed kit of 72 wooden beads, 4 coloured threading laces and 12 laminated pattern cards in a strong plastic container. The 12mm beads come in 6 colours and 4 shapes, with suffi cient beads to complete all of the coloured pattern lines. The patterns are also in silhouette, adding a perceptional activity for young children. Many skills can be developed: sorting, matching, visual discrimination, hand-eye co-ordination, sequencing, counting, colour recognition and early algebra.