Paraoa Poke - Playdough

Playdough is a such a versatile play item for children. It provides a more mindful approach to playing for children, even for adults. It is soothing, calming, relaxing and most of all satisfying. Playdough can be easily made it home with the children, therefore making it play safe and exciting for children to play with. 

The process of making playdough with the children creates a sense of achievement. Children become involved in the process of picking out the ingredients, measuring it out, and mixing it together in a step by step process. Adults also can take this opportunity to teach children about safety when using ingredients like hot water or if making cooked play dough, then talking about safety when around the stove.

Learning Outcomes:

• children learn science when mixing the ingredients together.
• children learn mathematics concepts when measuring the ingredients.
• children develop their fine motor skills by rolling, patting, flattening, squeezing, pinching, poking, tearing, pounding and cutting the playdough.
• children role play cooking and baking.
• children gain a sense of calmness and satisfaction.
• children learn to be creative and expressive.
• children develop language skills.

Teaching Strategies:

• adults can create a calm and safe space for children to play with playdough.
• adults can use open ended communication to talk about safety when it comes to using hot water or cooking playdough.
• adults can discuss and involve children with the process of making playdough and use mathematical concepts such as pouring, mixing, measuring, scooping, and kneading.
• adults can discuss and be involved with children when playing with playdough while using the tools that are provided.
• adults can present tools such as bowls, cups, spoons, butter knife, rolling pins, and moulds.
• adults can present children with other items such as herbs, spices, dried flowers or fresh flowers, leaves etc.

Safety:

• Playdough needs to be safe and free from chemicals as children tend to put it in their mouth.
• playdough and other tools can be a choking hazard, so adult supervision is required.
• Place playdough in an air tight container. Check thoroughly before presenting it to children. Make a fresh batch if needed.
• Sparingly add scented oils in the playdough so it's not overpowering. 

Recipe:

Cooked Playdough

• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 4 tsp cream of tartar
• food colouring

Mix dry ingredients together. Add water, oil and colouring. Blend until smooth. Stir over heat until mixture comes away from the sides, forming a ball. Tip the dough onto a board and knead well.

Uncooked Playdough

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 cup salt
• 1 tsp food colouring
• 1 cup hot water 

Put flour and salt in bowl. Mix water, oil and colouring and combine with dry ingredients. Knead well - extra flour may be required. Add items such as essences and herbs for different smells and textures.

Te Whāriki (New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum):

• Communication (Mana Reo) - where they discover and develop different ways to be creative and expressive.
• Exploration (Mana Aotūroa) - where children gain confidence in and control of their own bodies. This includes active exploration with all the senses and the use of tools, materials and equipment to extend skills.
• Well-being (Mana Atua) - where children's emotional well-being is nurtured
• Belonging (Mana Whenua) - where children begin to feel comfortable with the routines, customs and regular events.

Enjoy!