At BestStart Lakeside Village, playdough exploration continues to be one of the most enjoyed and meaningful learning experiences for our tamariki.
What may seem like simple play is actually a rich, hands-on activity that supports creativity, fine motor development, language growth, and early scientific thinking—all in one inviting space.
Our tamariki love coming together around the playdough table, eagerly rolling, squeezing, poking, and shaping the dough into their own imaginative creations. These movements strengthen the small muscles in their fingers and hands, helping build the foundation for important skills like holding a pencil, using scissors, and managing everyday tasks such as zipping and buttoning.
Playdough provides endless opportunities for creativity. With natural materials, loose parts, and simple tools available, children experiment with textures, patterns, and forms. It’s inspiring to see them turn a simple ball of dough into cupcakes, animals, mini landscapes, or entirely new inventions from their imagination. Playdough experiences are also social moments. Children share tools, exchange ideas, and collaborate on creations, building communication skills, confidence, and friendships.
Our kaiako support and extend this learning by introducing new scents, colours, or challenges, encouraging tamariki to explore cause and effect, problem-solve, and express themselves freely. Playdough may be a familiar material, but in the hands of our tamariki, it becomes a powerful tool for discovery.
At BestStart Lakeside Village, it continues to offer joy, connection, and meaningful learning every day.