Early Play Dough Activity

For Ages:
3 to 6 yrs.

Purpose:
We are trying to develop muscles in their hands. This will help their fine motor skills.
We are also trying to develop eye/hand coordination.
This activity will be an exposure to using their imaginations.

Materials:
1 container of play dough any color
1 old plastic place mat to protect the table OR
1 cookie sheet with sides
1 small toy rolling pin (I have found them at a
dollar store and any teacher’s store)
Cookie cutters (all kinds)

Instructions:
Play dough shouldn’t be used by children by themselves under the age of 3 years. Before the age of 3, children need to be taught how to use play dough properly. That means you as an adult need to sit and play with them.

For this activity, help your child learn how to flatten the play dough out with the rolling pin. This may be harder for the younger child, because of the simultaneous pushing and rolling action required with the rolling pin. Let them practice each time, and help them if they need it, only after they have tried by themselves.

After the dough has been rolled out, let them push the different cookie cutters into the dough. (This pushing action will help their fingers become stronger.) We used vehicle cutters( cars, airplanes, dump truck) this particular time. Once the dough shape was there, his imagination kicked in. In his mind, the vehicles came to life and made noises. I just sat back and giggled until the next shape was wanted and my help was needed.

I bought a package of 100 plastic cutters at Linens and Things for $9.99. It included all the letters of the alphabet, numbers 0-9, vehicles, and holiday shapes. Not a bad value.

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