Tag: preschool

Suggested Activities:

Children’s hands need work. Their hands love to open/close, squeeze, pinch, pull, push, etc. Let’s satisfy this need with purposeful work they enjoy. Clay, playdough, and biscuit work strengthen their hands, aid in the development of their senses, language, and kinesthetic learning. In the beginning, children make spheres and coils, pinch apart into little pieces, and taste (mouthing). Later, it’s about using rolling pins, cookie cutters, creating sculptures, making pots and bowls, and cooking.

Clay:

Sculptor’s clay is best. Use a firm clay that becomes soft when it is warmed up with your hands. This is a great workout for children’s hands and will become easier as their hands become stronger.

Playdough Recipe: Easy to manipulate and very good for children still discovering with their mouth.

• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1 cup of flour
• Food coloring
  • Mix water and food coloring
  • Mix salt, water/color mixture, oil, and cream of tartar in a pan and heat until warm
  • Remove pan from heat and add flour
  • Knead the dough until smooth. Be careful, it might be hot
  • When play dough is ready, cut down into golf ball sizes and wrap individually with plastic wrap or air tight container or freezer bag. Freeze until ready to use

Biscuit Recipe: The best work for children (walking steady-onward), you see the biggest smile because it is the most rewarding!

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup milk or soy
  • Mixing bowl, cutting board, 2 spoons, rolling pin, biscuit cutter, small baking pan (9″x9″)
  • Preheat oven 400 degrees, bake biscuits for 10 -/+ minutes
    • Mix dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt
    • Add butter to dry ingredients and pinch into tiny pieces
    • Add wet ingredient: milk or soy and mix with a spoon
    • When the it begins to look ‘doughy’ transfer to a cutting board
    • Knead and roll with a rolling pin
    • Flatten the dough (like a pizza) and press with a cookie cutter
    • Place cut dough on baking pan
    • The child might repeat the kneading, rolling, and cutting
    • When the child is done, place biscuits in the oven for 10 minutes or until golden