A malleable material is one that is capable of being extended or shaped by hammering or by pressure from rollers, adaptable. So for children in the Early Years this would include play dough, plasticine and clay.
Play dough can be purchased from many high street shops, however it is far cheaper to make it at home yourself. Why not involve the children in helping you to make it?
Cooked play dough
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tarter
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon
oil
food colouring
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until stiff. Allow to cool, then knead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Will keep for quite a while.
Salt dough
one cup of fine salt
one cup of flour
about half a cup of water
Mix the flour and the salt together in a bowl. Knead until it has becomes a smooth,
elastic and non-
Salt dough can be made into shapes and then cooked slowly in a warm oven (or in the summer left to dry in the sun) They can then be painted. Use to make Christmas tree decorations, hearts painted red and hung on red ribbon for Valentines day, door plaques etc.
There are lots of variations to these recipes available on the web. Add different ingredients such as coffee or chocolate powder to add smell and texture, glitter to add colour etc.
Malleable materials
How do young children benefit from playing with playdough?
- Their senses are stimulated. This can be further enhanced by adding to the dough
colour, scent, glitter etc.
(check for allergies first) - Freedom to explore on their own
- Early mark making (using fingers or tools)
- Physical development of their fine motor skills
- Hand eye co-
ordination - How to use tools (provide a range of tools, these could be household objects rather than purpose bought playdough tools)
- New vocabulary around manipulation, ‘squeeze’ etc
- Being with others whilst doing the activity
- Sharing the tools and the dough
- Raises their self esteem, praise for the process rather than the end product
- Freedom for creative development
Birth to three matters
A Competent Learner
Being Creative
‘Even the youngest children can, with support, relish playing with sand (both damp and dry), water and play dough.’
‘Materials give babies the opportunity to delight in sensory exploration and mess making’
Representing
‘provide tools that imprint texture and depth in clay, dough or wet sand (rollers, pastry trimmers, moulded rubber etc)’
Foundation Stage Curriculum
Physical Development
‘Explore malleable materials by patting, stroking, poking, squeezing, pinching and twisting them’
‘Use simple tools to effect changes to the materials’
Why not try
blue salt dough?
Salt, flour, oil, cream of tartar and water
Add all the ingredients into a saucepan
Add in colouring or other ingredients
Mix well to get rid of lumps
Put pan over low heat and stir continuously
As it starts to cook the mixture starts to stick to the bottom and sides of the pan
Keep stirring!
Gradually the mixture forms into a big ball
Tip onto work surface and allow to cool
Knead,
you may need a little flour on your hands
This recipe makes
4 good size balls of
play dough
Photos kindly provided by Amy Hodgman