Why do we love play dough so much?

If there was ever a toy that never disappoints for toddlers, in our experience, play dough has always been it!  Not only is it a go to for creating, it offers a wealth of valuable developmental benefits for all ages!

We made our dough with calming essential oils (a special blend to make you smile and dream) as well as organic ingredients to ensure a top-quality dough for the little hands making magic happen. 

From a sensory standpoint, play dough enriches the ‘touch’ sense allowing hands to mold, pull, push, feel and play.  Activating the senses is something we feel passionate about – and each child has a sense that is stronger than the other, so for this, we focus on building the ‘touch’ sense through and through.

So, what are the developmental benefits of dough?

Fine Motor Skills are the ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists. Kneading the dough, rolling, pinching all help with building this essential motor skill. 

Pre-writing skills are the fundamental skills children need to develop before they are able to write. These skills contribute to a child's ability to hold and use a pencil, and the ability to draw, write, copy, and color.  By playing with play dough, the hand muscles build and also improve upon this developmental essential.

Calming effect. Our personal favorite benefit by far.  To feel a calm come over us is relief.  Sometimes just the sight of Play Dough has this effect, and for others, playing with it relieves tension. Either way, calming can turn into dreaming and building the imagination – and that, can lead to happiness.

Hand-eye coordination is the ability to use our muscles and our vision in tandem. It requires the development of visual skills, like visual acuity, and muscle skills. When the two work together, young children begin to increase their ability to pick up, grasp, and manipulate objects.  This goes hand in hand with dough play.

Creativity + Curiosity = Imagination!  An equation we know is what makes children so inspiring.  Play Dough is a free form invitation to create.  Mold a ball into a snowman or add buttons to make a mold. Cut a heart and add it to a string for a wand, the world is your oyster, and we’re just here ot see it come to life.  This is a skill that also builds social development in children too to be able to explain or act out their vision.

Such a simple toy with such immense benefits.  Share your play dough inventions or developmental OT in your #medomoment.  We can’t wait to see what you create.