Key Messages 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Have fun playing together! Babies and children need to play - it’s how they learn about our world. Talk with your baby or child while you play - it will help them learn to talk to you. Watch and listen to your baby or child - let them lead the play. Don’t worry if your baby or child only plays for a short time, it will still have been a positive experience.
working together for health & well-being
Playdough
Watch out for….. 1. 2. 3.
Always keep a careful eye on your child. Create a safe place for your child to play (check regularly for broken toys and sharp edges) Watch out for small objects that can be swallowed.
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If you would like more copies of this leaflet, want more information, or would like a copy of any of the another leaflets in this series, please contact Somer Valley Children’s Services on 01225 396660 This leaflet can be made available in a range of languages, in large print, Braille, on tape, electronic and accessible formats from Tel: 0800 073 1214 or Textphone: 07980 998906
Somer Valley Children's Centre Services Play Ideas
Playing together…
Why play with dough? •
Playing with dough can help your child to develop their fine motor skills (small hand movements) • It can also help their hand-eye co-ordination • Playing with dough can help children to use simple tools and equipment • Children can explore textures and shapes •
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Watch what your child is doing or making and copy them Show how you can squeeze, twist and poke the dough through your fingers Make sausage shapes, and then roll them into coils or use them to make stick people Roll a piece flat and cut with a biscuit cutter - decorate these shapes with pasta or plastic lids
Playdough What can I use? • • • • • • • • • •
Rolling pin Biscuit cutters Potato masher Buttons Children's cutlery Spaghetti and pasta shapes Fairy cake tins Drinking straws Lolly sticks Garlic press
Talking together... •
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Talk about the texture and the shapes your child is making - are they big or little, sausage shaped Talk about the movements they are making with their hands and the patterns they are making If they make a person or animal, ask for suggestions of where they live, what they eat etc. to encourage their imagination