Benefits of Sensory Exploration with Children

By Kelly Saramago, USES Intern

Create your own playdough at home!

Playdough Recipe:

• 3 cups of flour
• 1 ½ cups of salt
• 1 cup of water
• ½ cup of oil
• Food coloring

Directions:

• In a large bowl, add flour and salt
• Mix together the dry ingredients. Then add the water, oil, and food coloring
• Mix together to combine all ingredients
• Once ingredients are combined, begin to knead with hands until playdough consistency begins to form.
• Roll out and enjoy!

This fall at the Hurley School, The Children's Art Centre's Studio Arts In-School Residency Program explored the themes of friendship and community in the kindergarten classrooms. As a wrap up to this theme, we had the children create their own playdough. Through this activity, each child was able to participate in the step-by-step process of creating playdough. This activity allowed the children to further explore the significance of taking turns and working together as a team. In addition, children were able to identify various colors, improve fine motor skills, and develop language. While rolling out the playdough, some of the children exclaimed, “It feels squishy and soft!” Some other children mixed colors together and created different shapes and textures. While squishing the playdough, one child stated, “This looks like a pizza!” Another child noted the blend of colors when mixing them all together. He stated, “It looks like rainbow colors!” Through sensory play children are able to and explore and make sense of the world around them.

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Kelly is a senior at Lesley University majoring in Psychology & Art Therapy. She has studied abroad in Peru and has experience working with children and disabilities. Kelly assists our Arts-in-Education Specialist with Spanish Studio Arts classes at the Hurley K-8 School.