Cloud dough and measuring cups

Kids are easy to please, give them cloud dough and measuring cups and they're busy scooping, pouring and scooping and pouring and scooping and pouring. Yes, schemas are just sooo predictable patterns of behaviors that i knew by providing the kids with sensory exploration such as this will get them fully engaged (and give mommy more time to do other things). So what are schemas?

Here's a brief rundown on what schemas are, why it is important and what learning it promotes: Extending opportunities for schema development.

You might also be wondering what is cloud dough???

It's pretty simple, 8 parts flour to 1 part vegetable oil.  So if you want to make a big batch put together 8 cups of flour and then add 1 cup of vegetable oil. Baby oil can also be used and will smell nice but for younger children best to use vegetable oil for those exploring little hands.

To extend this activity try adding dry spices like cinnamon or  to get that hint of chocolate try adding cocoa powder. Just make sure that the table is covered (unlike mine) and the kids know to make sure it stays inside and not on the table or on the floor. But brace yourself, this can be fun and messy! :)

Some more recipes on cloud dough and activities done can be found at:

Cloud Dough by Learn with play at home.com

Cloud dough: Unique ideas for sensory play and art

Super cool cloud dough

And of course my favorite from Imagination Tree their Pinkalicious: Pink Cloud Dough Cup Cakes

So have fun letting the kids enjoy themselves and dear mommy/daddy taking a bit of a break ;)