When we think of Playdough, we might instantly think of the mess and to save ourselves the hassle and avoid, avoid, avoid! However, children love the soft and colourful dough, and it has some remarkable benefits to your child’s development and sensory play. Lets explore our top 10 benefits which make the mess worth it!
1. Sensory Stimulation – Playdough is basically a sensory wonderland! The soft, stretchable texture of the dough engages the tactile senses and provides children with the opportunity to explore the different textures, temperature and consistencies. By squeezing, squishing, rolling and moulding, the playdough becomes a delightful sensory experience for their little hands. Plus, by adding in different spices that you’ll find in our FREE playdough recipe, you’ll be able to incorporate different smells you add to your child’s sensory experience.
2. Fine Motor Skills – The act of shaping and moulding playdough helps children develop their fine motor skills. Pinching, rolling and manipulating the playdough into different shapes, enhances your child’s hand-eye coordination and develops finger strength. These skills are crucial for tasks like writing, drawing and using cutlery!
3. Unleash Creativity – One of the most fun and interesting things about playdough is it’s endless potential! Children can transform a simple ball of dough into anything their imagination desires – from animals and everyday items, to abstract sculptures! As parents and caregivers, this imaginative play should always be encouraged as it develops creativity, problem-solving and self expression!s
4. Cognitive Development – Whilst having fun with playdough, children are simultaneously building their cognitive/intellectual development. Experimenting with different shapes, sizes and weight of the playdough, whilst learning about cause and effect, and trial and error helps support your little ones developing these vital brain skills!
5. Calming Effect – Playdough has an amazingly calming and soothing effect on children. The kneading and manipulating of the playdough can help reduce stress and anxiety. It’s also a great tool for emotional regulation and self soothing.
6. Language Development – Engaging in imaginative play with playdough provides opportunities for children to talk about their creations and form a narrative of stories. This can support their language development as they describe what they are making, talk about how it feels and tell stories!
7. Social Interaction – Playdough is often best enjoyed with others! When children come together to play with the playdough, they develop their social skills such as sharing, taking turns and having joint attention. It is a fantastic way to bring kids together to bond and build relationships.
8. Colour Recognition – Playdough comes in a rainbow of different colours and with our homemade recipe, you can make any colour your child’s heart desires! It is the perfect tool for teaching colour recognition and even basic colour mixing.
9. Easy and Safe– Our homemade playdough is super easy to make, requires no cooking and is non-toxic making it safe for children. If you swap the paint for food colouring, it becomes natural too. It’s also the perfect easy recipe to get your child involved in with the making! Just keep in mind it is not for consumption.
10. Long Lasting Fun – Playdough is a cost effective investment, especially if you make your own at home. When stored properly in clingfilm or an airtight container, and kept in the fridge, it can last for weeks before it dries up, providing hours of entertainment and learning opportunities for your little one!
As you can see, playdough has some wonderful benefits for your child’s sensory play and development. It’s a versatile, low-cost activity that nurtures creativity, fine motor skills, cognitive development and so much more! So next time you see the playdough, try not to avoid and get stuck in! 🙂
