When most people think of playdough, they think of a child’s toy. However, playdough can be so much more than that! Did you know that playing with playdough can help improve your child’s gross and fine motor skills? It can also help them be more creative, learn new colors and words, and even learn about math! In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of playing with playdough for kids and what makes this toy: happy, smart and so valuable. We will also provide some fun ideas on how to use playdough in your child’s development. So, let’s get started!
Benefits of playing with playdough:
1. Creativity and imagination
Children have imagination without limits and are very important to let it fly, and using playdough allows them to create all the objects and figures that their minds can imagine.
This type of game allows us to create a direct interaction with the child in which we can ask them questions about their creations. In general, kiddos love to talk about their achievements and tell the story behind them.
2. Colors
The variety of colors of playdough today is fascinating and we can use it to our advantage at playtime.
Playing with playdough can also help kids to improve their color recognition. They can learn to mix and match colors, as well as identify different colors. This can be a great way to introduce them to new colors or to help them learn the names of colors they already know. The possibilities are endless when it comes to colors, and kids can have a lot of fun experimenting with them.
Kids as younger as two years can learn colors, but it is important to show as many examples of the color as you can.
As a bonus, playing with different colored doughs can also help improve hand-eye coordination.
3. Language and literacy
Playing with playdough can help improve your child’s vocabulary skills. By playing with different colors and words, they can learn new terms and meanings. This is a great way to help your child expand their vocabulary in a fun and interactive way! Plus, it’s always enjoyable to play with colorful dough!
Not only does playdough help with vocabulary, but it also is beneficial for literacy skills. By molding letters out of the dough, children can learn how to form them correctly. This is a fun way for kids to practice their handwriting and improve their motor skills.
4. Gross motor skills
Playing with playdough can help improve your child’s gross motor skills by strengthening their arms and legs. When children play with play dough, they often use their hands to knead it, roll it out, and cut it into shapes. This helps strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers. In addition, playing with play dough can also help improve your child’s leg muscles. As they walk around and squish the play dough, they are also helping to strengthen their legs.
5. Fine motor skills
Not only does playing with playdough help improve gross motor skills, but it can also help improve your child’s fine motor skills. Fine motor skills involve the smaller muscles in the hands and fingers. When children play with play dough, they often use their fingers to pinch and poke the dough. This helps strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers. In addition, playing with play dough can also help improve your child’s hand-eye coordination. As they try to shape the dough into different objects, they are also training their eyes to see what they are doing.
6. Mathematical concepts
Playing with playdough is not only fun, but it can also help children develop mathematical concepts. For example, by molding the playdough into different shapes, children can learn about geometry. They can also learn about fractions by cutting the playdough into pieces. In addition, by counting the number of pieces they have cut, children can learn about addition and subtraction. So, the next time your child is playing with playdough, be sure to ask them how they are using it to learn math! You may be surprised at what they know.
Some fun ideas on how to use playdough in your child’s development:
- Encourage your child to use their imagination to create all sorts of funny figures, their favorite animals, numbers, and shapes.
- Show your child how to mix different colors of dough together to create new colors.
- Challenge your child to see how many different shapes they can make out of playdough.
- Count how many balls of playdough your child can make in one minute.
- See if your child can name all the colors of playdough you have.
- Have your child spell out their name with playdough letters.
- Challenge your child to see how many different shapes they can make in a minute.
- Use it to help your child practice their fine motor skills. Try having them roll the playdough into balls or snakes.
- Playdough can also be a great way to help your child develop their gross motor skills. Have them try to squish and mold the playdough with their hands or feet.
- If you have more than one child, use playdough to help them learn how to share and take turns.
- Make a simple shape and have your child identify it. Try making a star, heart, or circle.
Conclusion
Unquestionably playdough is one of the happiest smart toys that every parent must have in their home. There are many benefits of playing with playdough like hours of joy when you decide to incorporate it at playtime. Children who play with playdough are also more likely to be creative problem solvers. It helps improve gross motor skills by allowing them to move their hands and arms while they play. It also helps improve fine motor skills as they learn to manipulate the dough into different shapes. Playing with this classic toy is also a fun way for children to learn about colors and textures. And finally, playing with playdough helps children develop their creativity and imagination.
Overall, playdough is an incredibly beneficial activity for children of all ages. It helps them to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. So next time you have some spare time, why not grab a pack of play dough and let the kids have some fun!
Do you have any other tips for incorporating playdough into kids’ lives? Share them in the comments below! Thanks for reading!