For some time, I’d been avoiding using the Play-Doh our centre had purchased, because it had been packed up into 20 different (color separated) zip-lock bags. I’d figured that the children would somehow find a way to mix all of the colours into a kind of rainbow mess. (When I taught at public kindergartens, we were instructed to take just one colour of playdoh to avoid this happening).
So, with some reluctance, the other night I gave the Play-Doh a try during the craft time. I really liked how it worked, so much so, that I bought a set for myself. I plan on occasionally using it at other centres when I cover their kindergarten classes.
What I like about Play-Doh is that it’s low prep, the kids love using it, and it allows the children to express their creativity. It is also great to give fast finishers something extra to do. I think it is much better to give them some Play-Doh to make letters, numbers, vocabulary, and so on, than a random colouring sheet. Play-Doh is also small enough that I can take a pack with me to another centre I’m covering at, and not have to worry about the challenges I might have finding the resources for a craft that I could otherwise do.
There are a lot of different tools, sets, and types of packs of Play-Doh, which you can explore here.
