My Own Play Dough
Approaches to Learning (Engagement)
An activity for preschoolers
Materials
The recipe and instructions for the no-bake play dough comes from the Imagination Tree (see www.theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/best-ever-no-cook-play-dough-recipe.html).
" -2 cups plain flour (all purpose) -2 tablespoons vegetable oil -1/2 cup salt2 tablespoons cream of tartar -Up to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right) -few drops glycerine (optional- adds more shine!)" Also, include: -Kool Aid (multiple colors) -plastic bags -Glitter Materials for modifiers: -food dye Modifiers/Scaffold
For earlier children:
-Help the children mix their play dough mixtures. For most children: -Have the children choose two colors to mix together and talk to them about what color they made. For later children: -Give the children food dye and syringes and let them experiment with coloration. Follow-up Ideas
-You can implement this activity around Halloween by including pumpkin in your recipe! Use the pumpkin play-dough recipe provided by About a Mom (recipe here: http://www.aboutamom.com/fall-crafts-for-kids-edible-pumpkin-playdough-recipe/).
-Use watercolors to show what happens when you mix different colors. |
Originating Idea
I make play-dough in my own kitchen all the time for my preschoolers, and they absolutely love it! Sometimes I can barely keep up with the demand for play-dough! One time I actually brought in the dough and let the kids dye their play dough all by themselves. They absolutely loved it, and from then on they've constantly asked me to let them make their own play dough!
How to Make It
Before class, make several batches of the no-bake play dough recipe. From my experience, one batch of this recipe's play dough makes enough play dough for five-to-six students. Then, you separate the play dough into individual plastic bags, making sure there is at least one bag per student.
How to Implement It
During large group time, bring all the students to the tables and say, "Today we are going to make our own play dough! Everyone is going to get their own dough, and you're going to use these packets of Kool aid and glitter to make your own pretty play dough! Let's get started!" The teachers should then pass out the play dough, Kool aid, and glitter. For the earlier students, the teachers can demonstrate how to knead the Kool aid and glitter into the play dough.
Most students will enjoy mixing the play dough with the Kool aid and glitter, and talk about the different colors they create with the Kool aid. The earlier children will focus on kneading the different materials together, while later children will recognize and discuss what colors they created. Once the children have sufficiently mixed their play dough mixture together, bring out a box of play dough toys and let the children play with their play dough mixture. Once the children are done playing, the can return their play dough to their plastic bag and put the bag in their cubbies. |