Playdough

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Jennie

Playdough is much better when it becomes
a melting pot of colors.
People are, too.

Jennie

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About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over forty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
This entry was posted in Diversity, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

51 Responses to Playdough

  1. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections's avatar Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections says:
    June 1, 2022 at 6:07 am

    Great point …. and Playdough makes wonderful art. 🙂

    Reply
  2. beetleypete's avatar beetleypete says:
    June 1, 2022 at 6:16 am

    My freind’s little girl loved Playdough years ago. I used to like watching her squeeze it through a small doll to create ‘hairstyles’. 🙂

    Best wishes, Pete.

    Reply
  3. Ritu's avatar Ritu says:
    June 1, 2022 at 7:42 am

    Gorgeous… Though I do admit to getting twitchy when colours mix!!!

    Reply
    • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
      June 1, 2022 at 9:00 am

      I know what you mean. Me, too. This time I ‘let it go’ and children’s play was at its best. See, we’re never too old to keep learning. 😍

      Reply
  4. Liz Gauffreau's avatar Liz Gauffreau says:
    June 1, 2022 at 8:02 am

    I love it! As soon as I saw the word “Playdough” come across my email, I could smell it.

    Reply
  5. Ally Bean's avatar Ally Bean says:
    June 1, 2022 at 9:46 am

    I was never allowed to play with Playdough because the fumes were allegedly toxic, but I take your point. However I did mix colors with Prang paints… which apparently weren’t toxic.

    Reply
    • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
      June 1, 2022 at 7:48 pm

      The old Playdough was smelly. Not anymore. Most of the time at school we make our own playdough. Of course that’s one color, which is why I thought it would be fun to offer a rainbow of colors. I’m glad I did! Mixing paint colors is fun, too!

      Reply
  7. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray says:
    June 1, 2022 at 11:24 am

    Clever that! I bet the kids brought some nice gifts home for families.

    Reply
  8. Darlene's avatar Darlene says:
    June 1, 2022 at 1:09 pm

    Playdough was popular in our house as well. Especially with a future potter! I love the quote as it is so true.

    Reply
  9. bosssybabe's avatar bosssybabe says:
    June 1, 2022 at 1:58 pm

    Agreed! We work better together than alone! 🙂

    Reply
  10. quiall's avatar quiall says:
    June 1, 2022 at 2:39 pm

    I love Play-Doh as a child! I think it triggered my creative juices…

    Reply
  11. John W. Howell's avatar John W. Howell says:
    June 1, 2022 at 4:06 pm

    Play-Doh is the greatest. I agree about the colors.

    Reply
  13. beth's avatar beth says:
    June 1, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    yes, great analogy

    Reply
  14. Carla's avatar Carla says:
    June 1, 2022 at 9:28 pm

    My grandkids love playdough. I always have lots here for them when they come over.

    Reply
  15. Mireya's avatar Mireya says:
    June 1, 2022 at 10:25 pm

    Oh, my yes, I mean how many times have I heard the teacher don’t mix the colors and oh yeah, I could have added this to the book for a colorful life. I just wish I had thought of it. Ha.

    Reply
  16. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor says:
    June 2, 2022 at 1:25 am

    The perfect way to explain such a basic concept of humanity.

    Reply
  19. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more's avatar OIKOS™- Art, Books & more says:
    June 2, 2022 at 10:23 am

    Thats a great idea, and a wonderful metaphor, Jennie! xx Michael

    Reply
  20. Elizabeth's avatar Elizabeth says:
    June 2, 2022 at 5:34 pm

    Great analogy. I made play dough from salt and flour for Head Start kids years ago. I preferred the smell of the real old authentic stuff.

    Reply
    • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
      June 2, 2022 at 9:05 pm

      Today’s playdough doesn’t have the smell, which can be good for newbies and bad for us oldsters. Playdough is one of the best for children. I’m glad you liked the analogy.

      Reply
  21. TowardsZEROAccident's avatar TowardsZEROAccident says:
    June 3, 2022 at 10:36 am

    Remembering playtime of children. They used to enjoy it, we enjoyed their playing dough.

    Reply
  22. Dan Antion's avatar Dan Antion says:
    June 3, 2022 at 9:14 pm

    Somewhere in our house is a small bit of playdough that has been ground into something and hiding there for decades. Our daughter loved that stuff – mixed colors – and enjoyed every minute.

    Reply
    • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
      June 4, 2022 at 8:09 am

      Haha! I’m glad she loved it, Dan, and I’m not surprised. It’s a staple for creativity.

      Reply
      • Dan Antion's avatar Dan Antion says:
        June 4, 2022 at 9:30 am

        She used to make mini-pizzas. A playdough circle with tiny little bits of multi-colored “toppings.” We had to throw out the rug under her craft table, but it was worth.

      • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
        June 4, 2022 at 7:39 pm

        You get the fatherhood gold star. Faith wouldn’t be the terrific woman she is today had it not been for you, her mom, and of course playdough.

  23. dgkaye's avatar dgkaye says:
    June 6, 2022 at 11:40 pm

    Oh yes it is! 🙂 x

    Reply

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