PLAYDOUGH!
We use playdough to develop our fine motor skills in school. This is a great resource to use in many different ways. For example, we can make sounds and numbers with playdough. We develop our counting skills by rolling out and shaping set numbers of items (e.g. putting 8 peas on a plate). We also enjoy “dough disco” to exercise our fingers!
See the following links for examples of dough disco in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZG0rkhPkeY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl2U-lQQgBE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSlcJGoW8Bk
Here is an easy, no cook recipe for playdough:
No-Cook Play Dough Recipe
You need:
- 2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (baby oil and coconut oil work too)
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
- gel food colouring (optional)
- few drops glycerine (my secret ingredient for stretch and shine!)
Method:
- Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl.
- Add food colouring TO the boiling water, then into the dry ingredients.
- Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough.
- Add the glycerine (optional).
- Allow it to cool down, then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*
- If it remains a little sticky, then add a touch more flour until just right.
