Benefits of Playdough for Kids

Colourful, smashable and playful - Playdough is a favourite amongst kids. A great way to induce sensory play amongst young kids, Playdough is also parent-approved.  This modelling clay was originally made as a wallpaper cleaner in the 1930s but was reborn as an educational toy in the 1950s. Play dough is the perfect toy for kids of all ages because it is non-toxic and reusable.

Here are five Benefits of Playdough that you will love to know:

1. It develops fine motor skills 

While your kids are moulding play dough into different shapes, they are actually building up strength in their tiny hands. The acts of squishing, rolling, flattening, and more help your children develop muscles used in their hands for fine motor movements useful in the future.

2. Improves pre-writing skills

When your child plays with play dough, his pincer grip (the squeezing of pointer finger and thumb to grasp an object) improves. An improved pincer grip enhances your child's pre-writing skills.

3. Creativity and imagination

Play-dough provides your child with unlimited possibilities of moulding the dough into food, animals, decorations, flowers etc. Thereby, it encourages your child to use his imagination and inspires his creativity. If your child uses various shapes and activity mats while playing with play dough it further improves his creative imagination.

4. It's calming for children 

Much like the squishy stress ball, you pull out from time to time, squeezing playdough is great for helping calm down your kids. Playing with the clay can help ease tension, release excess energy, improve focus, and express emotions. If your child is feeling stressed, sit them down with a container of playdough and watch their worries fade away.

5. It supports literacy and numeracy 

It's difficult to get kids interested in learning, especially about tricky subjects like reading or math. Playdough is an awesome tool for teaching your children about counting, shapes, descriptions, and more.