Playdough and how to make your own

Playdough is a great sensory and learning experience for children with additional needs.

Sensory play and exploration is very important. It helps children learn about the world around them through their senses - touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing.

Sensory play may also include movement, balance or activities for body awareness.

Benefits of playdough for your child

Playing with playdough helps a child’s hands develop:

• strength
• dexterity
• control

They need these to use everyday items. These include using things such as scissors, pencils, zips and buttons.

Social skills

Playdough gives children opportunities to play on their own or with others.

In both styles of play, children are exploring abilities, life experiences and emotions.

When they play together, it can also support their social skills through sharing tools, taking turns, or making things side by side. They can practise co-operation, communication, patience and friendship skills.

Talking

Playdough also encourages children to talk. They will talk about what they are creating. Their sensory experiences expand their vocabulary.

As you ask your child questions, they are learning to listen. There are many different ways children learn comprehension, listening and communication skills through playing with playdough.

Creativity

Children can be creative with playdough.

They can roll, squish, and shape it into anything they imagine. This may include animals, food, people, or made-up creatures. It helps them express their ideas through hands-on play.

Playing with playdough also exposes children to early maths and problem-solving. They learn through trial and error, creating shapes, comparing sizes and counting.

Stories can be retold using dough shapes as props.

Sensory benefits

Playdough builds children’s hand and finger muscles.

It comes in a variety of consistencies. This means some require more strength than others. Use playdough that suits your child.

Pushing cookie cutters into playdough, rolling with a pin, or squeezing firm dough can help your child feel how their muscles and joints are working. This is called proprioceptive input.

Playdough is all about touch and hands-on exploration.

Some children like to squeeze or roll a ball of playdough around in their hands. It acts like a stress ball and can help relieve tension and support self-regulation.

How to make your own playdough

Materials

• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 cup salt (fine)
• 1 cup warm water - add a few drops of food colouring, if you wish
• 1 tablespoon of cooking oil helps to make dough pliable (optional)

Steps

1. Place flour and salt into large bowl
2. Carefully pour in water (and oil if using) and mix together.
3. When cool, knead to smooth dough.
4. Add a little extra flour if it's too sticky.

Storage

Wrap the dough in cling film or a plastic bag, and place in the fridge for reuse. It lasts in the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks.

Making playdough at home (video)

Tips for extra fun with playdough

Use tools such as:

• cookie cutters
• wine corks
• small rolling pin
• lego
• straws
• pasta
• plastic safety scissors
• combs
• pine cones
• small toys

For extra fun with playdough you can:

• add a drop of lemon, ginger or vanilla scent
• add food colourings when making the dough - add a few drops into the water before adding the flour