Preschool age children can benefit from playdough play just as infants and toddlers can. While the option for open-ended play is always a viable one for preschoolers, you may consider extending their playdough play in many ways. Preschoolers have a firm grasp on basic fundamental skills such as colors, shapes, number symbols, and letter symbols and enjoy categorizing and comparing different things.
The preschool years are a prime time for playdough exploration where children are building more complex creations. They will incorporate their favorite play things into their playdough play and often prefer to involve their peers. Games become more intricate, methods become more involved and friends play a central role in playdough play. Playdough can enhance the social and emotional development that is constantly occurring. Consider the use of dough or clay in practicing fundamental academic concepts such as math, science, literacy, and art. Number and letter practice options are endless with playdough. Children can stamp their names, play playdough number games and so much more. There are tons of ideas for preschool playdough play. Let's look at one example now.
Watch the video below that details a potential preschool playdough activity. Consider the needs of preschoolers and their fine motor skill development while watching.