Author/Therapist Shuangbao A Mu
Education is evolving with the times, and STEAM education is being promoted in Europe and America, combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Liberal Arts, and Mathematics. The STEAM learning process emphasizes 'interdisciplinary' approaches, encourages 'trying,' 'making mistakes,' and 'imagining,' enabling children to turn their 'creativity' into reality. Rather than simply giving them fish, it teaches them how to fish through overcoming 'frustration.' Thus, the STEAM learning environment stems from observations in life—such as nature, museums, and art galleries—and hands-on activities like DIY, life experiments, creation, and play. This approach fosters children’s interest and motivation to learn, allowing them to naturally make connections.
For preschool children, to practice the spirit of STEAM, they can engage in 'learning through play and doing' through physical exploration, helping them strike a balance between 'play and learning.' However, many kindergarten curriculums today are packed with overly rigid knowledge and overlook the importance of 'free exploration and development through play.'
◎ How to play and learn with your child?
First, frequently expose your child to diverse life experiences to learn from daily life. At home, provide opportunities and joy for 'hands-on' exploration and creation, keeping children away from the temptation of screens.
Fine motor skills deeply influence brain development. If parents know how to use manipulative toys effectively, allowing children to use both their hands and brains, they can achieve 'learning through play and doing.' Among various manipulative toys, 'clay' is one of my kids' favorites.
◎ Magic 1: Tactile and pressure stimulation satisfies sensory exploration and experience, aiding in the development of the brain's sensory integration.
◎ Magic 2: Enhances fine hand movements and muscle flexibility, and allows children to shape their creations through making mistakes, experiencing frustration, and constant adjustments.
◎ Magic 3: Its malleability and versatility inspire thinking, creativity, and boundless imagination, keeping children focused and never bored.
◎ Magic 4: Open-ended play enables parent-child role-playing and storytelling, boosting language, emotional, and cognitive development.
◎ Magic 5: Rich colors help children recognize and develop a sense of color, while clay mixing experiments further aid visual learning.
Parents, are you ready to join my twins and explore the magical world of 'clay'?
The actions of touching, molding, and pressing clay share similarities with baking desserts. If you want to try a parent-child baking session but worry about making a mess in the kitchen, why not play a 'clay pretend cooking game' with your child?
“Boss, I’d like a dessert, please!”
“Customer, just a moment please, your dessert isn’t baked yet~”
This time, I chosePlay-Doh Kitchen Creationswith the 'Magic Oven,' which not only has lights but also makes real oven ding sounds, truly thrilling the kids. Look at how focused they are.
“Ding~~ Your order is ready!”
The verbal interactions and thinking involved in role-playing are very beneficial for the language, emotional, and cognitive development of preschoolers. Adults must definitely “play along” and “add some flair”!
“Wow, the dessert looks so delicious!”
The 'Spin & Decorate Cake Set' from this series, with its stampable cookie shapes that are realistic and cute, makes pretend play especially fun. The cookies are so appealing even A Mu wanted to take a bite.
Squeezing out layers of cream looks delicious and realistic—even boys love trying it out and competing for a turn.
“Boss, I ordered five cookies, but why did you only give me four?”
The game can also incorporate counting and cognitive skills, allowing children to learn naturally through play.
Combining 'picture books + Play-Doh clay' is another fun way to enjoy parent-child reading while 'building' the story characters with your hands, bringing the stories to life. The process of molding clay also trains hand muscle strength and hand-eye coordination.
1. If you have younger children at home who tend to put things in their mouths, it’s important to choose a brand like Play-Doh made from natural ingredients (water, flour, food coloring) that’s safe even if accidentally ingested.
2. The more colors of clay available, the more variations you get, helping children recognize a rich palette of colors and encouraging bold, joyful play with colors.
3. Pairing molds enhances the depth of role-playing fun. Both Shuangbao and I really love the Play-Doh Oven set—the molds offer a novel way to play and are definitely not something you’ll ever get tired of!
Come and experience the magical charm of ‘clay’!