Libby Public School Series; Play "Dough" fun for all ages

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The original play-doh was invented by accident and has been around since the 1950's.More on play-doh  Today I am going to show you how to make play "dough" and some ideas of how to use play dough as a tool to strengthen and gain skills.

I have used play-doh for many years as a therapeutic medium. In the recent years I have added the process of making play dough with some of my 4-6th graders as part of a life skills class.
The following is a list of some of the skills that can be learned by playing with play-doh

- Sequencing; how to read a recipe and follow directions
- Life skills; how to follow a recipe, measure and be safe around the stove
- Strength; kneading the "dough", playing and squeezing the play-do
- Hand dexterity; pinching, rolling, squeezing, sculpting
- Creativity; you can make what ever you want to with play-do
- visual motor writing support; making letters and words out of play-do
- Numbers and letters; making numbers and letters, counting
- Focus and attention; fun activities tend to keep a child's attention and focus especially if you play with your child, It can also be used as a fidget to hold and squeeze while attending to for instance a story.
- Self regulation; Playing with play-doh the squeezing and manipulating may help a dys-regulated child calm down

You can make your own "Play Dough"

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
  • food coloring (optional) you can add smell ie vanilla or cool aid for smell and color
  • 1 cup flower
- Saucepan with spoon
- Stove or hot plate

Directions: 
  1. Combine water, oil, cream of tartar and food coloring in a saucepan
  2. Heat and stir until warm and the salt is mostly dissolved
  3. Remove from heat and add the flour
  4. Stir, and let cool off if needed to a temperature you and or your child can comfortable touch
  5. Knead until smooth.
  6. Store in a air tight container or Ziploc freezer bag for up to 6 months
The cream of tartar makes this though last 6 months or longer, so resist the temptation to leave this ingredient out if you don't have it. If you do leave it out discard the play dough after play. 





Play dough a fun, cheap and easy way to learn and play with your child. Just have some fun.



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