Making playdough together is a great home activity

Looking for a quiet and calming activity when children are feeling restless or frustrated? Try this. (RECIPE BELOW). You have the opportunity to build your child’s language without them realising that they are learning.

There are lovely measurement words like ‘cup’, ‘tablespoon’ and ‘dessert spoon’. Words like ‘mix’, ‘add’, ‘stir’, ‘store’, ‘dry’ and ‘sticky’ can be added to your child’s vocabulary.

Older children can predict what colours they can make if they mix certain colours together.

You could also get them to solve problems like, “What ingredient can we add if the mixture is too dry, or too sticky?”

Squashing and shaping playdough strengthens little hand and finger muscles. This helps their hands feel less tired when they draw or write.

Here is a simple recipe:

2 cups flour; I cup salt; 2 cups water; 2 dessert spoons oil; 4 tablespoons cream of tartar; food colouring

Mix all the ingredients and cook until the dough comes away from the sides of the pot. Store dough in an airtight container once it has cooled.

Read the isiXhosa text here