Calm and Quiet Tip 3

Ah, playdough.  Wonderful, gushy, squishy, playdough.  Who would have thought that that it would be a calming activity for kids?  In the last post, I discussed how children work their stress out through their hands.  Playdough is another useful substance that allows kids to release their stress. 

Of course, you don't want to do this activity with little ones who are still putting everything in their mouths.  There are, however, homemade playdough recipes that are non-toxic and use ingredients such as applesauce, peanut butter, etc.  My experience with these recipes is that they just want to eat the stuff and that's what they want to do with ALL playdough.

Now, I recommend making your own playdough.  I know, I know, who has the time, I don't like to cook, etc.   Hear me out.  There are some benefits to homemade playdough:

1. It is made with common household ingredients that pose no health risk.
2. It is fast and easy.
3. It is easier for little hands to manipulate.

Here is my favorite recipe:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup salt
• food coloring

Combine and boil until dissolved.  Mix in the following while very hot:

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 tablespoons alum
• 2 cups of flour

Knead (for approximately 5 minutes) until smooth.  Store in covered airtight containers.  It should last about two months if stored properly.

I knead the dough using a dough hook in my Kitchen Aide.  Makes the whole process quick and easy.  For an extra sensory component, I like to add a scent to the playdough such as peppermint or almond extract (both relaxing scents).  Remember, the more senses involved in an activity, the stronger the learning.

Again, this is a nice activity to do before naptime, bedtime, or after a hectic day.  Little ones sometimes lose their interest in this activity rather quickly.  To make it more interesting for them, I bring out the plastic animals, eg, cows, horses, etc.   You know how hard it can be to stand some of those darn things up!  Kids can easily stand them in the playdough, pretend to feed them, etc.  You can also roll a figure up in the playdough and then have your child find/uncover it.  All good stuff for language development too.

Let me know if you try the recipe!

Addendum:  I forgot to mention this, but it is very important...let your kids mix the colors!  I'm always amazed on home visits how many parents struggle with this.  We want our kids to experience the playdough without limits so let them mix away.  A benefit of this:  they get to see the transformation process of blending colors -- good stuff for their thinking skills.  Take any mixed colors and knead them until you get a new color (which for some reason always tends to be brown). 

Comments

[Jill]

Add one package of unsweetened Kool Aid powder for color and smell!

[Jill Urbane, The Mentor Mom]

Great suggestion! I've used playdough made with Kool Aid before and the scent is divine (and the kids love it). I've never found a recipe, however, that didn't dry out or leave my hands kind of crusty. Do you have a good recipe to share? Or do you think it would work as an additional ingredient in this recipe? Let me know!!