The toddler twosome love their playdough fun and although it is a wonderful fine motor activity on it's own I wanted to challenge those little fingers and also add a little extra sensory experience for Ruby.
The only materials we used were playdough, my Colourful Egg Shells and our trusty wooden cubes (from the $2 shop)…and there we had an activity that challenged fine motor skills and the senses, as well as providing some fun with shape recognition!
I usually use my Microwave Playdough Recipe as I can't stand cooking playdough and somehow always ending up with a burnt saucepan! This time I tried an easy no cook recipe from The Imagination Tree….and i was very pleasantly surprised! I don't normally like uncooked playdough…it always seems too sticky and dries out too quickly…but this one was just perfect and I highly recommend you give it a try!
The girls first began pressing the eggshells into the dough…the soft dough and hard texture of the eggshells allowed them to really explore and enjoy a different sensory experience from the usual dough play!
They then began picking out the cubes and pushing into the dough…Tara was so pleased with her ‘arrangements' and spent a great deal of time seemingly getting them just right!
Ruby has previously been a bit hesitant to play with the eggshells so I was very pleased to see her begin to pick them up straight away and then pile them onto her playdough. Once she gained her confidence she really engaged with the activity. I always love to see her try new textures she has previously showed fear and distrust with.
I am constantly seeing the benefits of challenging her SPD difficulties and offering foods and certain activities repeatedly until she finally tries something different and obviously a little scary!
Tara began to build little towers with her cubes and then decided to pick all of the eggshells out of the dough which really challenged those little fingers!
They then discovered that by pushing the cubes into the dough and lifting them off again they left a square imprint. They both exclaimed that they had made a square…and they had discovered that all by themselves with no prompting from me!
I really do love this age (except for the meltdowns and toilet training obviously….)! I love providing open ended play experiences and learning from toddlers and their ability to explore and imagine the impossible. They turned this into a learning activity all on their own with just a few tools…so proud of them!
You really do come up with some fab posts hon. I love the idea of the squares being pushed into the play dough.
Oh and the colourful eggshells are a perfect activity for Easter coming up!
Thanks Penny…I hadn’t even thought of Easter…great idea!
Hey Jode! So I am loving the look of the blog, still showing off the purple but you’ve allowed the other colours to really pop now. It looks awesome, well done you for using some of your sacred time to do it. So, how did your FDC interview go? It’s the regulations that just drive me balmy! You will be absolutely fantastic Jode and the children who will be in your care will be totally blessed for having you…I wish I could send MY children to you, haha, imagine that two more twins into the mix 🙂 I hope you will still be blogging your activities? xox
Totally agree! Especially at this age. Provide them with a few new “tools” and then let them go for it 🙂
What a fun invitation to play Jode. We’ve not used eggshells in anything yet and should give it a go. 🙂
The contrast between the soft and pliable play dough and the brittle eggshells would be so interesting to explore! Love all the colour too 🙂
It’s open ended play at its best. They are having fun and learning along the way.
This is a great sensory activity and opportunity to talk about different textures! – and yes, i too always end up with a burnt pan after playdough making! (we now have a designated ‘playdough pan’ hehe)
So glad i’m not the only one Julie!!
At first I was looking for the eggshells but then realised you coloured them. That looks AWESOME!
Thanks Kate…they are really easy to colour!
Inventive ideas from you as always
Thanks Jackie…and thanks so much for taking the time to drop by when you have so much on your plate at the moment xx
Oh my! That looks great! I think my son would love the added sensory play of the colored egg shells. I may have to try that. I use the same playdoh recipe and am very pleased with it. I have a batch from early December that is still going strong here. Instead of food coloring, I used a package of koolaid to color the playdoh. I adds nice color AND it has the added sensory benefit of smelly great! We found the orange and grape smells really stand out (more than lemon or blue raspberry twist).
I have to say when I worked in child care the toddler room was my favourite room to work in too, they are such a fun age and I love the hands on activities that you can provide for them. That playdough looks lovely for a uncooked playdough. Looks like lots of fun at your playdough table Jodie with egg shells and squares and lots of great learning too:) xx
I use the no-cook method for making playdough now. It’s so much faster and no more soaking of saucepans! I love the egg shell idea.
We have really been challenging Jack too to take more risks with trying new textures and it is really paying off. It is so uplifting to see them try something on their own isn’t it? Just last night Jack picked up and ate a piece of lamb chop! He hasn’t touched meat since we used to puree it for him as a baby! Hubby and I were so thrilled it took all our effort not to scram and cheer (which would have put Jack off and he wouldn’t have eaten it) So huge steps forward here too 🙂