It smells so yummy that I want to eat it all up! | It is like playing with candy! | The whole room smells like chocolate! | It smells like a chocolate factory!
Children love to play with dough. And no wonder! They can squish and pound it and form it into fascinating shapes. Making play dough with your child teaches measuring skills, math skills, language skills and more. It helps encourage waiting one’s turn, sharing ideas and new language development. Try it out this weekend. It’s a great way to interact and learn with your child. And it’s FUN!
How to make homemade cocoa playdough
What you need:
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons oil
Mix it all up
Just mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. If it seems too liquidy just add extra flour. To flourey? Add more water or oil or both. It’s that simple. Once you like the consistency, it’s time to knead the dough on a floured surface for about 4 minutes.
Making it is half the fun! So please be sure to let your child do as much of the measuring, mixing and kneading as possible. They can even try mixing the ingredient with their hands. During the process remember to encourage verbal skills by talking about what your child is doing. Asking open ended questions. And answering your child’s questions. If your child asks, “Can we make it red?” Give it a try.
Now it’s time to play with the playdough
Your child’s imagination and your’s are the only limits here. Cut it. Squeeze it. Put things in it. Make a snake. A rockit. Throw it. Catch it. It’s all up to you. You can even taste it! Yes! It’s edible but not at all sweet.
When finished seal in a zip-lock bag or airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
When you make cocoa playdough your child learns:
Math Skills
- Measuring; fractions, cups, tablespoons…
- Comparing & contrasting – bigger, smaller, lighter, darker…
Verbal Skills
- Expanding vocabulary
Motor Skills
- Mixing (with spoon & hands)
- Pouring
- Rolling
Reading Skills
- Following written directions
- Reading fractions & numbers
Sensory Skills
- Feeling different textures
- Different smells
- Colors
And a lot more!
Doing cooking and science projects together with your children at home is a great way to help reinforce what we are learning at school and strengthen family bonds. I hope you have fun creating memories.
- Happy Times November 2024 - October 29, 2024
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- Happy Times October 2024 - September 27, 2024
