Play Dough Exploration

1: X said, "I can make it like a green snake !" Y answered, "My one is bigger"-Children are learning language when they are sharing their ideas with their peers. They are also comparing the lenght of the play dough-big, small ,bigger, longer, etc.





2: F is working so hard to cut his play dough with the scissor. I was holding my scissor, describing and showing him how to insert his fingers -he was observing my fingers and he did it! The use of scissors helps develop children's fine motor skills. 



3: Children have their unique style to interact with the medium .They need ample opportunity to explore. D was using his scissors to mark his play dough -Another child said- "Are you making pizza?" He was kneading his play dough for a long time.




4:F decided to knead and roll it his play dough. He just started preschool with us. He was observing other children and than he carefully picked up his play dough and rolled it like X.  When he have finished he said, "I want green scissor ".

5: J was decorating her play dough with lots of light green balls. I said, "I can see you put so many green balls on your play dough". She replied, "I am making chocolate chip cookies".

This play dough exploration develops children's fine motor skills-creativity, language and social skills...and more.

Homemade playdough recipe

3 cups boiling water

• 3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups salt
• 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 Tablespoons cream of tartar
• food coloring optional -

Directions:

Mix all ingredients except for the flour in a large bowl. Once well mixed, add flour. Stir continuously until the dough mix leaves the sides of the bowl. When well blended, remove from bowl and knead on floured board. Careful! The dough will be HOT - especially in the center. Until it cools, this is a job for an adult. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour. At first it will seem undercooked, but as you knead and sprinkle with flour, you will find you have made a nice, soft playdough. Store in an airtight container. I never refrigerate my dough as putting it in the fridge makes it sweat and it goes sticky.

Things to add to dough

• Glitter
• Rice for texture
• Vanilla or a few drops of essential oil for scent

Gluten Free Play-dough!

Wonderful alternatives to wheat/gluten containing play-dough for those with allergies.  

 Gluten & Corn Free Kool-aid Playdough 

·         1 cup rice flour

·         1/2 cup salt

·         2 tsp cream of tarter

·         1 package Kool-aid, unsweetened

·         1 Tb oil

·         1 cup boiling water

1.    In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, cream of tarter, Kool-aid, and oil until combined.

2.    Add boiling water and stir until blended. Allow to cool; knead to blend color if necessary.

3.    Store in airtight bag or container in the refrigerator.

Gluten-free Play Dough
Courtesy of the Celiac Sprue Association. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup rice flour

1/2 cup corn starch

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp cream of tarter

1 cup water

1 tsp cooking oil

Food coloring, if desired

Preparation:

Mix ingredients. Cook and stir on low heat for 3 minutes or until mixture forms a ball. Cool completely before storing in a sealable plastic bag.

Rubbery Playdough
2 cups baking soda

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup cornstarch

Mix with a fork until smooth. Boil over medium heat until thick. Spoon onto plate or wax paper. 

Homemade Play Dough

Adapted from the Kids Play Clay recipe on the side of the Clabber Girl Cornstarch canister 

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup salt

1/3 cup water

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup cold water

Food coloring (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium saucepan, mix salt and 1/3 cup water over medium heat, stirring occasionally (about 3-4 minutes). Mixture should appear like slushy, wet snow. Remove from heat.

Add cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water. The mixture will resemble mashed potatoes. Stir till thickens, cool, then knead on a board or countertop that has been lightly dusted wtih cornstarch. If desired, divide dough into smaller balls and add a few drops of food coloring.

Store unused play dough in the refrigerator in a sealed container with a damp sponge

Gluten Free Homemade Playdough Recipe

3/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup salt
3/4 cup rice flour
3 teaspoons cream of tarter
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cup water
food coloring (optional)
 

Add all ingredients to a saucepan (except food coloring). Cook over medium heat. Stir constantly until thickened in a ball. Remove from pan and let cool. Add food coloring and knead dough. Continue kneading until no longer sticky.

Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 months.

White Goop

Something fun to play with that's messy but easy to clean up!

Ingredients: 

1 part corn starch

2 parts water

Directions: 

Mix ingredients together until smooth.

Enjoy!

Suggestion: 

Try to make a ball with the mixture. Note how it kind of keeps its shape as long as you are working with it, but as soon as you stop, it "melts" through your fingers.

You can find various other Playdough Explorations at:

quirkymomma.com: It's Playtime with Play Dough

quirkymomma.com: Dozen-playdough-recipes/

Favorite Play-Dough Recipe

This one is a favorite among preschool teachers, as there is no cooking involved and it can be whipped up in just minutes.  We can't wait to make it with the children, insha'allah!

Kool-Aid Play Dough

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups boiling water
2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid(or any no-name brand)

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and water.  Knead well.  Explore! Store in zip lock bag in refrigerator.

Why do we provide play-dough and other malleable material, such as clay?
 There are numerous benefits....

Playdough: What's Standard (pdf)

Developmental Stages of Clay (pdf)