Your Child Will Learn
Fine motor skills and how to use tools
Here’s What to Do
- Play with play dough! You can use store-bought play dough or make your own (recipe attached).
- Show me how much fun it is to roll, squeeze, pound, poke, and pull apart play dough.
- Help me use tools like popsicle sticks or spoons, a small rolling pin, or cookie cutters to shape the dough in different ways.
- Make some pretend cookies or cakes and have a pretend tea party with dolls and stuffed animals.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Set up our play dough in a space free of distractions.
ENGAGE
- “What does the play dough feel like? What happens if you pull it apart?”
- “Would you like to cut a piece of my pretend pie? Maybe Teddy would like a piece too.”
ENCOURAGE
- I might not like the play dough texture at first. Help me by offering it to me in a ball shape, which may be more familiar.
- Model using tools for me first, then let me try on my own.
REFLECT
- What did I seem to like or not like about playing with play dough?
Not Quite Ready
If I seem more interested in eating the play dough than playing with it, try again in a few months.
Ready for More
Show me how to make objects out of playdough. See if I can imitate what you make.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will enjoy experimenting with play dough.
Time to Complete
15-30 minutes
Materials Needed
Play dough (bought from a store, or homemade-see recipe below)