Cornmeal Play Dough (Week 3)

Adults suffer from childhood amnesia... 

our responsibilities to overwhelm us

and we stop

-playing in the mud

-running barefoot through the grass

-making up silly songs and singing them out loud

but working with children

has allowed me to

stay young

stay in the moment 

while learning to see more

Click here for the beginning...

Cornmeal Play Dough

What I did:

I found a homemade cornmeal play dough recipe,

set out rolling pins, cookie cutters, and play dough

scissors for the kids to finally open their bake shop!  

(Social- Emotional Development, Language and Literacy,

Mathematics, Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Development)

What they did:

To my surprise, no one showed up for the activity.  NO ONE!

I called out, "We have play dough!  Who wants play dough?"

"Not now" they answered.  What were they doing instead? 

Two of the older girls had set up a nail spa with a foot soak tub,

towels, and the promise of pretty polish!  Even the one little guy in

my care was waiting in line to soak his feet in the warm, soapy water!

Lesson Learned:

Don't anticipate... live in the

moment, and follow their lead.

Helpful Tip:

Homemade play dough that is properly stored (in a sealed

container, in a dry/cool location) can last quite a while.

Cornmeal Foot Scrub

What I did:

Followed their lead and made a cornmeal foot scrub

(oil, powder, tiny amount of dry cornmeal) for the

nail spa customers!!  Not only did the kids LOVE it, they

said it left their feet silky smooth and smelled great too. 

(Social-Emotional Development, Language and

Literacy, Visual and Performing Arts, Health)

I see more:

Go with the flow. Meet the children where they are. 

If they want a manicure/pedicure party, then party it is.

Join them and supplement THEIR ideas!

Build upon what they are interested in and support their vision. 

Cornmeal Play Dough (Cheerios)

What I did:

Put out the play dough again with a variety of play dough tools. 

(Mathematics, Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Development, Health).

What they did:

Used items to cut and poke the play dough.  We ended up

with something that looked very similar to Cheerios.

Lesson Learned:

Revisit activities.  Although the children rejected

the play dough on Monday, they enjoyed it every day thereafter.

Part of "going with the flow" is knowing when to try again!

Cornmeal Play Dough (Necklaces)

What we did:

The night before I baked the cornmeal "cheerios" in the

oven and let them cool/harden overnight.  The following day 

I set out paint and brushes and let the children paint them. 

After drying we used them for stringing. 

(Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Development)

Helpful Tip:

Make sure your children are mature enough

to comprehend that these are not for eating!  

Play Dough and Paint Dotters

What we did:

Spread a thin layer of cornmeal play dough onto a

tray, gave them paint dotters, and let them at it!

(Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Visual

and Performing Arts, Physical Development)

(Click here to see Week 4 activities)