Developing Play in the Malleable Area

Ages 3-4
Prompts for Developing Play Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning
As you interact with children, consider these points to help you develop their learning
Playing and Exploring
and development as they play.
• Does the child show curiosity to explore new malleable materials and try new
• Does the child enjoy exploring malleable materials, such as playdough, salt activities?
dough or clay?
• Do they use their senses to explore new materials?
• Can they shape and mould dough using their hands?
• Can they create simple shapes (such as a ball) or flatten the dough? • Do they learn by trial and error – testing out new ideas to see what
works best?
• Can they press objects into the dough to create texture?
• Can they use their fingers and hands to shape the dough? For example, can they pinch, • Do they show a ‘can do’ attitude?
twist, press and squeeze the dough?
Active Learning
• Can they use one-handed tools and equipment? • Are they determined to complete a creative task to achieve their
• Can they manipulate materials to create their desired effect? desired outcome?
• Do they show a dominant hand when using one-handed tools? • Does the child maintain focus when using malleable materials?
• Can they describe the texture of different materials?
• Do they concentrate on their creative activities and pay attention to details?
• Can they handle tools and malleable materials safely and with increasing control?
• Do they persist, even when challenges occur?
• Can they explore how the malleable materials can be changed?
• Does the child plan their projects and creative activities? • Do they take pride in their accomplishments and achievements?
• Do they explore materials with different properties? Creating and Thinking Critically
• Do they use all their senses in hands-on exploration of natural materials? • Does the child make links in their learning between different types of
• Can they mould and create simple representations of people or animals? malleable materials?
• Do they use their imagination as they consider what they can do with different materials? • Do they think of their own ideas and make suggestions for new materials,
• Can they make simple models which express their own ideas? activities or ways of completing a task?
• Can they develop their own ideas and then decide which materials to use to • Can they test out their ideas and make predictions?
express them?
• Can they change strategy if needed?
• Can they use tools to create changes, such as a rolling pin to effectively roll out
the dough? • Can they notice patterns in their experience based on
knowledge of stories – for example how a story
• Can they make a comparison using language relating to size or shape?
might end?
• Can they use mathematical names for shapes in their play?
• Does the child create patterns?