Play-Doh and Dandelions
Tools
Q-tips (10)
Play-Doh Printed PDF (Click Here)
Scissors (cut each Q-tip in half in advance)
Activity Description
Play-Doh is a wonderful tool to use to enhance learning and promote development of skills. In this activity, children will create a dandelion by using Play-Doh and Q-tips.
Steps
Step 1: Print the PDF and cut 10 Q-tips in half using scissors.
Step 2: Use your hands to roll the Play-Doh into a ball and place inside the circle. Press down lightly to fill in the circle if needed.
Step 3: Use your "crocodile fingers" (thumb and index finger) to pick up a Q-tip. Move the Q-tip from the fingertips to the palm of the hand while using one hand. For older children, continue this step 4 more times for a total of 5 Q-tips inside the palm.
Step 4: Attempt to move the Q-tip from the palm to the finger tips of the thumb and index finger and place into the Play-Doh.
Step 5: Continue steps 3 and 4 until all Q-tips are placed into the Play-Doh.
Goals
Children will strengthen the muscles of the fingers/hand, neat pincer grasp, and improve in-hand manipulation skills. These skills are necessary for the development of an efficient pencil grasp, dressing (fastening buttons, zippers, and snaps), scissor cutting, and more.
