2. AGENDA 6:00-6:10 Introduction & Announcements 6:10-6: 30 Presentation and Discussions 6:30-7:45 Activities 7:45-8:00 Quiz and Dismissal
3. Tonight’s Objective The Participants will understand the developmental benefits of play dough through the presentation of standards and developmental benchmarks; they will demonstrate what they have learned through activities and an assignment by the end of this class and be able to make these skills evident in their own classrooms 100% of the time.
5. Fine Motor Skills Children are developing their hand muscles skills when they begin to play with play dough. This skill is also known as Fine Motor Development. Fine motor skills are essential in the developmental process of a young child. By playing with play dough, children are introduced to the skills that they will need to begin placing paint brushes, scissors, and pencils in the correct holding position. These skills help them later to develop writing skills. Tools that should be used to develop these skills during the use of play dough Plastic knives Scissors Rolling pins Cookie cutters Any miscellaneous items requiring fine motor skills *These activities should be in your class DAILY
6. Imagination and Creativity What can an imaginative child do with play dough? ANYTHING! Give them birthday candles and cake toppers and it’s a party. Give them cookie cutters and it’s time for cookies and milk. Give the boys blocks and play dough and what comes next will blow your mind! Imagination and creativity are vital processes to enhance learning skills. It deepens their thinking and sets them up for success. Dramatic play is even more important than letters and numbers. Ways to use play dough in dramatic play format Mixing bowls Utensils Blocks Baby dolls Small plastic vehicles Tools Little aluminum pie pans Two colors of play dough
7. Longer Attention Spans Who doesn’t want their children to have longer attention spans in the classroom? You would be crazy to want it any other way. The key to learning is repetition and being able to focus their attention on an activity in detail. By strengthening this skill, children begin to learn in a more complex manor, meaning: problem solving and trail and error. Sensory Attention Span Stretchers Sand Water Play dough *These sensory items should be used DAILY in your classroom!
8. Emotional Development Play dough is calming and soothing like all other sensory play. In our world of standards, benchmarks, assessments, and schedules, children need an emotional outlet. You can let them fight, argue, become physical OR you can allow them to delve into these activities, that by nature, create a calm environment. These activities can be messy, but recognize that the mess is worth the soothing nature that will take place in your classroom versus the alternative. Learning Centers Every classroom should have specialty sensory centers that change from day to day. You can focus on themes, numbers, letters, animals, colors, etc. to create a week’s worth of ideas. Only allow 4-6 children at each table to avoid conflict.
11. SociallyThere is a great deal of learning happening when you simply let children play From Learning Though Play When I play with play dough, I am learning… To see the shape against the background of the table, a reading skill Concepts of shapes, relative sizes, big, small, length, height, etc. To see negative space when cookie cutter shapes are taken away To express feelings, squeezing and pounding To exercise my imagination and creativity That the amount of a substance remains the same, even when the shape changes
12. When to Offer Play Dough Play dough is great first thing in the morning… Smooth transition from parent to class Less chaos prior to the start of class Helps keep room organized and prepared for class Keeps children confined for meet and greet time versus them being all over the class when your back is turned Play dough is great as an end of the day activity… Transition to awaiting parents End of the day quiet period Helps you keep your room clean for departure, only tables to clean versus the entire room
13. When to Offer Play Doughcont. Play dough is great for rainy days… Rainy days are always dreaded by the teachers and children because they know that outside play time is not in the picture. Play dough is a fun way to put an end to those rainy day blues. You can… Make no cook play dough in different colors for things that occur from rain Gray for skies White for clouds Blue for rain Green for green grass
14. Playing Music While Children Play With Play Dough Will Enhance the Learning Experience
