At Grafton we use our homemade playdough on an almost daily basis because it is an ideal creative activity for all young children. It’s creative, comforting and challenging, and most of all it’s fun!
Working with dough helps children to work towards a range of Early Learning Goals which we cover here at Grafton. The mixing of the dough will lay the foundations for mathematics as they measure quantities; explore colour, shape and sequence. Playing with the dough itself, the children are exploring texture, pattern, flavour and smell, which will aid their creative development and working together collaboratively with the other children, will support their personal, social and emotional development. Playing with the dough and producing an end product all be it temporary will add to their sense of achievement and confidence, whilst developing their Communication skills as they chatter together about their creations.
This is our quick and easy recipe which we have been using for the past 24 years.
400g Plain White Flour,
2 Teaspoons cream of tartar,
2 Teaspoons cooking oil,
300 ml water
100g salt,
2-4 teaspoonfuls or food colouring or flavourings, the more you add the deeper the colour or stronger the scent.
1) Add all of the ingredients to a large saucepan.
2) Cook over a low to medium heat. Stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, until the dough becomes thick and leaves the sides of the pan almost clean. This is hard work and you will need muscles to keep up with the stirring but don’t give up.
3) Once you have a large lump in the middle of the pan turn out onto a smooth clean work surface, wearing a pair of clean washing up gloves (because the dough will be hot) kneed and roll the dough for a few minutes until it is thoroughly mixed with a lovely sheen and no loose flour.
4) Leave the dough to cool for at least 10-20 minutes before allowing the children to play with it. Store the play dough in an air tight container in a cool spot; it should keep for up to a month. Put the saucepan into soak with a good squirt of washing liquid, then scrub clean.
Working with dough helps children to work towards a range of Early Learning Goals which we cover here at Grafton. The mixing of the dough will lay the foundations for mathematics as they measure quantities; explore colour, shape and sequence. Playing with the dough itself, the children are exploring texture, pattern, flavour and smell, which will aid their creative development and working together collaboratively with the other children, will support their personal, social and emotional development. Playing with the dough and producing an end product all be it temporary will add to their sense of achievement and confidence, whilst developing their Communication skills as they chatter together about their creations.
This is our quick and easy recipe which we have been using for the past 24 years.
400g Plain White Flour,
2 Teaspoons cream of tartar,
2 Teaspoons cooking oil,
300 ml water
100g salt,
2-4 teaspoonfuls or food colouring or flavourings, the more you add the deeper the colour or stronger the scent.
1) Add all of the ingredients to a large saucepan.
2) Cook over a low to medium heat. Stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, until the dough becomes thick and leaves the sides of the pan almost clean. This is hard work and you will need muscles to keep up with the stirring but don’t give up.
3) Once you have a large lump in the middle of the pan turn out onto a smooth clean work surface, wearing a pair of clean washing up gloves (because the dough will be hot) kneed and roll the dough for a few minutes until it is thoroughly mixed with a lovely sheen and no loose flour.
4) Leave the dough to cool for at least 10-20 minutes before allowing the children to play with it. Store the play dough in an air tight container in a cool spot; it should keep for up to a month. Put the saucepan into soak with a good squirt of washing liquid, then scrub clean.