Are Clay and Play-Doh some of the messy but yet imaginative toys that you may have tried playing before when you were a kid but were told to stop because of the mess it makes? And as a parent now are you looking for ways to boost your child’s development and are you wondering if your children should be shaping, pulling and manipulating Play-Doh or clay like what you have tried before? The good news is that you should stop worrying and you should just let your child play with them if they show interest. Check out these wonderful benefits you child receives every time she pops out the Play-Doh.
#1 – Boost Fine Motor Skill Development
In case that you are not aware… Fine motor skills are simply actions which are usually small and precise, generally involving the little muscles in fingers, hands, toes and wrists. As an adult, you use these skills hundreds of times a day. But they can get developed and improved upon when your child gets to play clay and play-doh, especially with all the kneading action. The muscles which perform fine motor skills are also strengthened. This makes the transformation to writing, coloring and gripping easier as your child grows.
#2 – Support Your Child’s Independence
At a very young age, children need to believe in themselves. Every time you see your child acting independently, you will naturally feel proud. And the self-esteem which comes with independent play cannot be overrated. When your child grabs his can of Play-Doh, sets out to play on his own or take responsibility when he makes a mess (without you interfering), he is believing in his own actions as well as his independence, which will eventually pay dividends for life.
#3 – Imaginative Play Unleashes Creativity
Toddlers and older children should be encouraged to express themselves creatively. Everyone is different, and has different ideas. When your child is free to express her thoughts by bringing them to life with Play-Doh or clay, she is doing so much more than just playing. The imaginative scenes, scenarios and objects she creates teach her the process from thought to action to creation. She realizes she can create anything that she can think of.
#4 – Benefits Multiply When Laughter Is Involved
All kids love to laugh, and that is a great thing. And when they make silly faces, monsters or animals with their Play-Doh, laughter is an ever present part of the process. Developmentally, “feel good” chemicals are released when she giggles. Your child’s blood flow is improved, her immune system gets a healthy boost and physical tension or stress is relaxed for up to 45 minutes after a laughing fit. As an adult, you will also feel the same when you are laughing away!
#5 – Improve Math And Communication Development
Playing with clay often means using shapes and symbols to press into the malleable substance. This is a great time to give your child an advantage learning the alphabet, memorizing numbers, how to spell his own name and how to “speak” by combining plastic or wooden letter blocks and Play-Doh.