News And Events

Sensory Play with Playdough

The Ministry of Education notes that playdough is a safe and soothing material.  When children work with playdough, there is no right or wrong way to manipulate it, and can therefore provide them with a sense of security and a satisfying sensory experience.  As a result, playdough can be a useful activity to help settle children when they arrive into care for the day and children can also be part of the process of making it.

At Nurtured at Home, children experience playdough in the Educator’s home and at playgroup.  We provide space for unhurried exploration and creation within a small group, and at appropriate times provide additional resources to complement the sensory experience such as fresh herbs, pumice, pine cones, essence, and edible flowers.

Sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways.  As a result, sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills and social interaction.

Here’s our favourite playdough recipe:

• 2 cups of plain flour
• 1 cup of salt
• 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 2 cups of hot water
• Food colouring or essence

Mix together the hot water and salt, heat in the microwave or on the stove until boiling.  Then add the cream of tartar, oil and colouring.

Pour this mixture into the flour and knead until smooth.