Benefits of Playing with Play Dough

As a teacher, you know creativity is an essential part of early educational development. Using play dough in the classroom is an easy, inexpensive way to spark your students imaginations, and put the power of creation into their hands – literally.

What do children learn?

Fine motor skills - Children are developing their hand muscles as they use play dough. This is called fine motor development. Fine motor activities, such as using play dough, strengthen muscles and develop coordination that children will later need for skills such as writing. Give children plastic knives and scissors to cut the play dough, rolling pins and cookie cutters to roll out the dough and cut shapes, stamp the dough, shape it into letters and numbers, etc. Offer this activity every day.

Imagination and creativity - Children who are beginning to play imaginatively can turn play dough into anything. Give them birthday candles and cake toppers and encourage them to shape play dough into a cake. Dramatic play is valuable for young children: it deepens their thinking and helps them get ready for success in school. Dramatic play is even more important than teaching children letters or numbers!

Longer attention spans - Young children naturally have short attention spans, moving like a tornado from one activity to another. Sensory activities like sand, water, and play dough are activities that keep young children playing for longer periods of time, helping stretch attention spans.

Emotional development - Play dough (like other sensory activities) is calming and soothing. Sensory activities are a good way for children to release tension. While these activities may be messy, recognize that the mess is worth it, because these activities are very relaxing and make the day go more smoothly.

Social skills - Children can practice sharing materials. When you add dramatic play props (see below for more ideas), you can give children a chance to share their ideas and play imaginatively together.

 Play dough helps young children grow physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially. There is a great deal of learning going on when children simply play with play dough.

For a list of play dough recipes, click here.

Related training:
A Basic Approach to Learning through Play - 2 hours
Play Dough Fun - 3.5 hours