SCHOOL DIRECTORY
Catholic Education South Australia
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EYLF Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners

4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating

Preschool Literacy Indicator: I use language to connect with my world

Preschool Numeracy Indicator: I quantify my world

Inquiry Question

How can we explore our senses using playdough?

Learning Experience

By adding herbs to playdough, you can enrich children’s sensory experiences as they observe, touch, smell and maybe taste new materials or textures. Choose herbs from the garden like rosemary or thyme and let children crush them in a mortar and pestle or cut up with small scissors. You can ask open ended questions like: 

What does the playdough smell/feel/look like without the herbs? 

What do you think will happen to the playdough when you mix the herbs in? 

What does the playdough smell/feel/look like now that the herbs are mixed in? 

Why is this important?

Children are developing skills and experiences exploring and investigating new materials/ textures using all the senses.  Their fine motor development is enhanced through pinching/squeezing/pushing/pincer grip/poking/squishing/rolling/digging. As well children participate in imaginary play using the dough to cut into shapes, bake in the oven, and sell in their shop.  You could then make real herb bread with children using a simple damper recipe.