Not a Box

Our amazing play dough coordinator made us some amazing play dough for this week. The ingredients are amazing for sensory, both in texture and smell.
The texture was made close to cookie dough with quick oats and coconut oil. The oats were grainy which are very stimulating to squeeze and push on.

It was also outstanding for our Community Helper theme, as the children used rolling pins, spatulas, a baking sheet and other kitchen tools to play with the dough. It smelt just like cookie dough! We added cut out pieces of foam to make chocolate chips. The children loved being bakers.

Without any prompting, the children began to make patterns on the
baking sheet

We made first aid crosses to decorate the house center with. I spoke to the children about where they would see this cross, and how it usually would be where you would find help and band-aids.

We used this activity to practice holding colouring tools, and cutting skills.

We are SO excited to finish this activity on Monday/Tuesday when we get back to school. We wanted to give it some time to dry before adding the fire fighters.

Smooshing paint under saran wrap.
Mixing colours

Added small houses

Painting hands!
It feels ticklish

On Monday/Tuesday, we talked about the big box randomly in the room. I had brought the box from my parents, since they bought a new mattress. We then watched a quick youtube clip I found that read "Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis.

It took a lot of thought on how I was going to share 1 box (even though I actually got 2 boxes - as there was a box in the box that I didn't know about until I started cutting the not a box). I needed to be sure the children could share the box between two classes.
Successfully, we accomplished it. I cut a simple hole in the box on Tuesday and offered it to the children Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the not a box was a boat!
To others it was where they brought the house center props and made into a hospital, and an ambulance.

On Thursday, the not a box became a fire truck!
I offered the children our "fire bell" to go on top of the fire truck.

Since our week was about emergency community helpers, I sat with the kids and talked to them about 9 -1 - 1, and their own phone numbers. We spent time using the phone to dial and practice.

Number recognition

The children have really enjoyed playing in the hospital, and with all of the community helper toys.

Sensory Cookie Dough recipie

• 1 cup (plus a couple Tbsp) All Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Water (If you want to color the play dough, add the food coloring to the water.)
• 2 cups Quick Oats
• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Vanilla (opt.)
• 1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder (opt.)

How to Make Skin Therapy Play Dough

• Mix one cup of the flour, quick oats, and vanilla.
• Add water and stir until the play dough forms a ball.
• Knead in the coconut oil one tablespoon at a time.
• Knead in the cocoa powder.
• If the play dough is too sticky add flour a tablespoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.
• Knead the play dough for around three minutes to make the dough elastic.

Sincerely,

Ms Asha