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    You are here: Home / Learn / Making Play Dough: A Handmade Education

     

    Making Play Dough: A Handmade Education

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    With all the discussion about the importance of STEM and STEAM learning in education these days, it occurred to me that the act of making play dough and the art of playing with it is the perfect preschool STEAM activity. Play dough is, in fact, a wonderful "handmade education," involving science, math, technology, and engineering, as well as creative art and design exploration!

    This is the perfect activity for preschool STEAM and STEM play.

    First of all there is the mixing and measuring. This is a practical life exercise which involves both mathematics and science. (Note: Our favorite easy, no-cook play dough recipe can be found here, but we now prefer the texture of this cooked play dough recipe.)

    Measuring to make play dough. Practical science and math activity for preschoolers.

    After the dough has been made, it needs to be cut into fractions. This is more math and a bit of practical preschool engineering and technology when learning how the simple machine of a knife (lever) is used.

    Cutting play dough for math learning teaches fractions.

    Next, we need to mix in the colors. It's more science and a bit of design and art as well, not to mention learning how to engineer a crevice which helps keep the liquid color from escaping.

    Adding color to play dough for design and engineering for preschoolers

    Then there is the kneading in of the color. More science, more engineering, and a lot of fine motor muscle exercise!

    Kneading in color for science and design while making play dough.

    Finally we have four balls of color to explore. Then comes the most fun part of all! The playing and shaping, sculpting, squeezing, designing and creative thinking. The "A" in "STEAM".

    Play dough balls of color activity

    Voilà!

    Making and playing with play dough as preschool activity to build STEAM and STEM skills.

    Don't forget to extend the creativity and design aspect of playing with play dough using outside objects. Small, loose parts can add a new dimension of creative thinking to the play. Check out these 34 suggestions for objects you can find around the house to add to your child's play dough fun.

    Want more 52 more STEAM activities? Get the free list, plus step by step instructions for 2 sample projects. Sign up here. 

    STEAM ideas list

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    « Toddler Busy Activity: "Playing the Slots"
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christy says

      November 10, 2010 at 12:24 pm

      Play dough is the best!

      Reply
    2. MaryAnne says

      November 10, 2010 at 1:59 pm

      Play dough is fantastic!

      Reply
    3. Raising a Happy Child says

      November 10, 2010 at 2:32 pm

      I still have homemade playdoh on my "to do" list. Oh well...

      Reply

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