It is not easy being a parent right now to a toddler or preschooler. We’re all still learning how to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 quarantine. Who doesn’t need an activity their child can do (semi) independently? Whether you have bought play dough off Amazon or made your own (video tutorial at the bottom of this blog post), play dough can provide your child fun and learning while at home. In the past two weeks I have frequently found myself getting the play dough out for P to play while I answer emails or quite possibly sit in the bathroom alone chugging coffee.

Squish, rolling, molding, sculpting…children love to play with play dough. Add some household objects and play dough becomes a great way to support your child’s learning at home. This staple material in our Beansprouts classrooms (and Preschool classrooms all over the world) lets your child use their imagination while strengthening the muscles in their hands and fingers. The very same muscles they will use to hold a pencil and write. There are endless ways to incorporate social emotional, literacy, language, science and math into playing with play dough. How can you support ALL that learning at home? That is why I am here to help!

Social-emotional development is happening literally ALL the time for toddlers and preschool aged children. While playing play dough, children feel a sense of pride and excitement for their creations. Children love hearing statements such as “Look how hard you worked on that ball, I am so proud of you” or “You are so good at rolling play dough, will you teach me?”. In addition, pounding, flattening and squeezing are healthy outlets if children are feeling anxious, sad or frustrated. Having a “bad” morning with lots of emotions? Bring out the play dough!

If you have the ability to make home made play dough with your child, there are endless literacy, language, math and science benefits. While in the kitchen together, read the recipe out loud to teach them that print carries meaning, point to the words as you read to teach that words move from left to right, count as you add ingredients, count as you stir and use new language to speak of the texture and then changes you can see in the play dough as you cook it.

There are endless options for supporting your child’s play dough by adding objects from around your house. Using a different item each time will provide your child with new and challenging tasks. Here are some suggestions of things you might already have in your home:
Birthday candles
Blocks
Bottle caps
Cookie cutters
Combs
Garlic press (be prepared to give it up forever)
Large buttons and other objects that can be pressed into the play dough to make a design
Feathers
Leaves, twigs, pebbles
Plastic knives, forks, and spoons
Rolling pin or bottle
Small toy people and animals
Straws
String or shoelaces
Tea strainer
Toothpicks (only for older children
Wine corks
Rocks
Sea shells
 
                             Recipe for Making Home Made Play Dough
MATERIALS:
2 cups of flour
¾ cups of salt
4 teaspoons of cream of tarter
2 cups lukewarm water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Optional: food coloring and essential oil
 DIRECTION:
1. Stir together the flour, salt, cream of tarter in a large pot Add the water and oil, add food coloring and essential oil.
2. Cook over medium-heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until dough has thickened and begins to come together. Remove from heat and place on counter covered with about ¼ cup of flour
3. Allow to cool slightly and then knead the flour and play dough together until soft and all of the flour is incorporated. Once it’s all mixed together, you are ready to PLAY. 4. Store the play dough inside a Ziplock bag or Tupperware container. If stored properly this play dough will last for up to 3 months.