Project objective: Allow children to engage and heighten their senses during a flower-themed project to highlight the first day of spring.
Skill development: Comparison of textures, sensory experience, creativity, resilience to different textures, color identification, hypothesizing in anticipation of new sensory experiences, language, emotional support for sensitive children
Spring is filled with excitement about mud, flowers, and worms, to name a few. Jackets and mittens come off and suddenly our senses are heightened with new and stimulating materials around us.
As the children jump in puddles, the mud dries and tightens on their skin while they take in the earthy scent and sound of the mud as they squish and splash in it. These experiences stimulate the children’s senses in a way that winter did not.
While some children really enjoy these experiences, some are more sensitive to them, especially at the beginning of spring when bulky winter gear has inhibited many bodily sensations over the past several months. Engaging the children in a similar sensory activity before going outside gives them an opportunity to discuss, reason and expect the season’s changes ahead of time to support building their resilience.
I made a zero waste playdough infused with spring to help acclimate their senses and minds to the season while they squished, rolled, and got a little sticky with it. The drying sensation of the playdough on their hands was similar to the mud play they would soon be experiencing outside. Earth clay mimics mud play more accurately; choosing one over the other depends on how sensitive the children in your care are to these sensations.
To prepare this spring-inspired zero waste playdough, you’ll need flower petals, flour, salt and beets.
First call your local flower shop to request a donation of petals they would otherwise throw out. Using these petals keeps them out of the landfill, gives them a second life, and inspires children’s play with beautiful, authentic materials. My flower shop gathered enough for me after just one day!
For the flour and salt, bring glass jars to your nearest food store that offers bulk options and supports reusable containers. Weigh your empty jar on the scale at the store and write it on the top. Fill up your jars with salt and flour and write the corresponding item’s PLU number on the top of the jar. Many stores have salt in the bulk seasoning aisle, flour in the bulk dried foods section, and beets with the loose produce.
I love that when we can’t use this playdough anymore, I can send it back to the earth instead of the landfill!
Here is the recipe for my zero waste petaled spring playdough:
- 2 cups flour (I use gluten free flour because of gluten allergies)
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup cold beet-colored water
- A handful of flower petals
Directions:
Boil the peelings of a beet in 1 cup of water. Chill in fridge. Once chilled, mix with flour and salt. Add flour as necessary until it is the desired consistency. Roll in flower petals.