Using dough and clay for creative play at school and at home

Play. A word we inherently associate with childhood. An activity that should foster children natural creativity. However, in this day and age, with the advent of gadgetry, video games and so on, play isn’t what it used to be. It breeds one dimensional thinking. As is so often the case, a child receives a gift from his parents: the newest prefabricated toy in the store. Perhaps it’s the latest super hero or some funny animal he saw in a movie, cartoon show or a game he cherishes. So he takes it out of the box and begins to “play” with it. Only that’s not play, because it’s a reenactment of that show. The little one is using someone else’s story, not making up their own. Needless to say, this does not encourage creativity and it’s the way the world works these days.

Fortunately for your children, there is a way out, one that school and family can use to encourage creative play. Using the same example, let’s presume we give the child some coloured pencils and a pad, or some play dough or clay. He will have endless possibilities to express his creativity, and his imagination will roam uninhibited. This is multi-dimensional thinking, through which children can literally build their world, and enhance it by adding (or moulding, in the case of play dough / clay) characters that inhabit it. They are encouraged to be inventive, to use their mind but also their hands, to make connections then turn them into something that can be seen and felt.

Nowadays, the Earth seems to spin at a higher pace. Our schedule is so hectic, and our children's too. We’re talking school, sports, club activities etc. They have less and less time to explore, to discover, to make mistakes and learn from them. Therefore, it is more important than ever to encourage your children to express their ideas and feelings, to experiment and be spontaneous. Thus, they will develop into confident and self-reliant individuals.

Ways to nurture a child’s creativity

Studies have shown that environment is more important then heredity where creativity is concerned. Therefore, school and home should complement each other in providing a creative atmosphere. Here are some ways to do just that:

Make creative materials readily available to the child: play dough, clay, objects to make sound with and blocks. They’re great because they are unstructured toys and materials, so they can become a variety of things. They answer the developmental needs of the child, stimulate his curiosity, engage his intelligence, imagination, and creativity. Encourage children to lose themselves in daydreaming, which is an imagery process.

Let him build with sand, mud and clay. All of these materials can be used to build structures and shapes, ensuring not only mental stimulation but also physical activity, developing the child’s large and small muscles and eye-hand coordination. Sand structures can be built in a sandbox, on a table or better yet, at the beach on a day off with the family! Leave clay creations to air dry.

Create an object piece by piece. It is a good idea, as it is involves vision and promotes problem-solving skills. The results don’t have to be perfect, they just have to be, so relax supervision and show appreciation for your child’s efforts

3 reasons modeling with play-dough / clay is good for children

As mentioned before, play-dough and clay are great for creative play at school and home. It is a great sight watching children working quietly on their modeling clay and proudly sharing their creations.

1. Calming effect. Moulding clay in your hands is therapeutic for humans of all ages, let alone toddlers or children. Manipulating the dough / clay allows children to express their emotions.

2. Sensory development. Children need to fine-tune their motor skills and dexterity, and these materials are perfect for the task, involving rolling, squeezing and forming structures. For a toddler, the changes in clay are magical: they are naturally attracted to poke it or pound it down. The fact that the clay adjusts is all the more compelling.

3. It’s fun, but also a learning tool. Play-based learning is awesome. Children think they’re having fun, which of course they do, but while playing with clay they are also busy figuring out their next creation. It is a challenge dressed in a pleasant activity. More importantly, when the dough or clay changes, it teaches children that their actions have consequences. It is not only the clay that takes shape, but also the child’s brain.

How to make play dough at home

Below you can find two recipes for making your own play dough at home. Your children are sure to appreciate it!

Store it in a covered container or bag, and use it warm or cool for sensory variety.

•  Coloured Play dough

1 cup water

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup salt

1 tablespoon cream of tartar

Food colouring

Saucepan

1 cup flour

Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food colouring in a saucepan. Heat until warm. Remove from heat and add flour. Stir, then knead until smooth. Store in container. This dough can last 6 months or longer.

• Salt Play dough

1 cup salt

1 cup water

1/2 cup flour plus additional flour

Saucepan

Mix salt, water, and flour in saucepan and cook at medium heat. When it is thick, remove from heat. When it cools, knead in flour to make it workable.

•  Oat Play Doh 

 Note: This play doh is for tactile stimulation. Young children love it. It has a rough texture and is great for exercising hand muscles. You should use this dough the same day you make it, as it will get moldy within a day or two.

2 cups water

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup flour

Cinnamon

Heat water until boiling. Combine boiling water and oatmeal in mixing bowl. Add enough flour to make it dough. Add cinnamon for smell if desired.

• Easy salt dough:

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4cup salt 

3/4 cup water

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, add more water if needed. Knead into soft ball of dough. Have fun playing with it.

• Fun clay

1 cup cornstarch

2 cups salt

1 1/3 cups cold water

Paint

Put salt and 2/3 cup water in a pot and bring to a boil. Mix cornstarch and remaining 2/3 cup water in separate bowl and stir well. Add salt mixture to cornstarch mixture in bowl. Knead dough. Model or mold dough and let it dry for several hours. Paint when dray if desired. Keep unused clay in airtight container or Ziploc in refrigerator.

• Basic Art Dough:

4 cups flour

1 cup iodized salt

1 3/4 cups warm water

Mix all ingredients in bowl, squeeze dough for 10 minutes. Model as with any clay. Bake sculptures at 300 degrees until hard. Let air dry for few days.

• Modeling Clay

1 box baking soda (16 oz.)

1 cup cornstarch

1 1/4cups cold water

Food coloring, if desired

Microwave

In a large mixing bowl, combine baking soda and cornstarch. In a two cup measuring cup, combine water and food coloring. Pour colored water over baking soda mixture. Stir until smooth. Microwave on high 4 to 8 minutes, stirring after every minute until mixture is firm. Cover with a damp towel until cool. Knead until smooth. Store in airtight containers or Ziploc bags.

• Shampoo Dough:

3/4 cup flour

1/3 cup white glue

1/4 cup thick shampoo

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Knead dough. Add more flour as needed for right consistency. Model or roll and cut as desired. Let air dry. Paint as desired.

Warning: Could be toxic if ingested