At Sonas, during our small-group experiences, children participated in two playdough activities: creating different emotion faces using playdough mats and forming numbers using playdough.
For the emotion activity, children were provided with mats showing blank faces and visual prompts of emotions such as happy, sad, angry and surprised. They rolled, pinched and shaped playdough to create facial features, carefully placing eyes, mouths and eyebrows. Some children named the emotions confidently, while others copied the expressions and used simple words or gestures to communicate how the face was feeling. Educators supported children by modelling emotion language and asking open-ended questions such as, “How does this face feel?”
In the number activity, children used playdough to roll long “snakes” and shape them into numerals. They showed concentration as they followed number cards and attempted to form numbers independently. Some children counted aloud while shaping the numbers, while others required guidance to recognise and form each numeral.
These playdough experiences supported children’s social-emotional development, early numeracy and fine motor skills.
Creating emotion faces encouraged children to recognise and express feelings, building emotional literacy and empathy. Talking about emotions helped children develop language for feelings and supported their ability to understand their own emotions and those of others.
Forming numbers with playdough strengthened children’s number recognition and understanding of numerals through hands-on, sensory learning. The rolling, squeezing and shaping actions enhanced fine motor control, hand-eye coordination and finger strength, which are essential for later writing skills.
Both activities promoted sustained engagement, problem-solving and confidence as children experimented, tried again and experienced success.