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Playdough Center

  • 1.  Playdough Center

    Posted 05-04-2020 12:02 PM
    I want to have playdough out all of the time but my students always get it in the carpet.  The table the students use is used for many things so I can't put something permanent over the carpet and our whole room is carpeted.  How do you protect your carpet?

    Thanks for your tips!

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    Monica Justice
    Fletcher OH
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  • 2.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-04-2020 08:58 PM
    I hear you, Monica!  I had the same problem in a previous home where we had carpet everywhere.  In my current family childcare home I have hardwood floors in most places, so this is no longer a problem.  What I suggest is if you have linoleum in your kitchen, I suggest when you want to do play doh, bring the table into the kitchen area where you have linoleum.  Would that work for you?  It's all I can think of for now.

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    DeAnn Jones
    Co-Facilitator for the Family Child Care Interest Forum
    Discovery Place Preschool, LLC
    Stanwood, WA 98292
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  • 3.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-05-2020 08:16 AM
    DeAnn,
    Thank you for the idea but my room is in a school setting.  I would like part of the room tiled for this reason but that won't happen for a long time.
    Monica

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    Monica Justice
    Fletcher OH
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  • 4.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-09-2020 04:47 AM
    Buy a piece of linoleum that you just place on the carpet and create that special area.
    We never had a problem of it shifting, but we did put it in a corner of the room.



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    Linda Jacobsson
    Teen Parenting Program Childcare
    Santa Rosa City Schools
    Santa Rosa, CA
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  • 5.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-05-2020 12:08 AM
    Walmart sells these plastic floor coverings that could be used under the table or a small card table for the kids to work at.  Here is a link to one of the many they sell.  I bought something like this for under our sensory table.  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ottomanson-Multi-Grip-Ribbed-Clear-Runner-Rug-Hard-Floor-Protector-Mat-26-x-6/922958941


    If you think sunshine brings you happiness you haven't danced in the rain.

    ~unknown


    Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate. Click
    here to see our policy.
    Las escuelas públicas de Omaha es no discriminar. Haga clic aquí para ver nuestra política.





  • 6.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-05-2020 08:18 AM
    Jane,
    Thanks for the idea!! All I could think of was cheap plastic tablecloths that would instantly rip.
    Monica

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    Monica Justice
    Fletcher OH
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  • 7.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-05-2020 09:42 AM
    I'm not sure what your age group is, but when I taught 3-4's, playdough drove me crazy.  I had an hard floor area, but they would drop it, step in it, and track it on the carpet.  I finally came up with the idea for playdough trays.  At the beginning of the school year, I spent time in the Art Center teaching them to keep their dough on the trays (lots of reminders, positive and specific feedback, and following through with logical consequences, such as cleaning up what they dropped on the floor), just as I taught them how to use playdough tools. I had very few problems after introducing the playdough trays.

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    Mary Porter
    Lead Teacher
    Macfeat Laboratory School
    Rock Hill SC
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  • 8.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-06-2020 11:04 AM
    Mary,

    That's a great idea!  I forget how much kids don't know at the beginning of the year and that we have to teach them the little things.

    Thanks!

    Monica

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    Monica Justice
    Fletcher OH
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  • 9.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-06-2020 11:17 AM
    Trays or visual reminders for space are a good idea as long as they don't limit the use of the materials.

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    Lisa Vorpahl
    Lil Explorers
    Chandler AZ
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  • 10.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-05-2020 10:26 AM
    i bought something similar to this produc from amazon and placed the table on top of it. I have been looking for the ones i have bought in the past, but i havent been able to find them anymore. This one looks similar.
    Creativity Street Jumbo Messy Mat, 38 x 80 Inches, Yellow 
    I also have used big enough trays and asked the children to keep the playdough on the tray only. You still have to remind them, but it is easier.
    Hopefully this helps!


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    Sandra Rodriguez
    Director
    Beautiful MInds Academy
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  • 11.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-05-2020 10:36 AM
    Playdough should be available everyday for both sensory and fine motor development, especially for the muscle needed for holding writing tools in the future.  If you put a tarp or covering over that area of the carpet you will be able to focus other wet or messy activities in that area.  I am confused by the thought that covering the carpet isn't an option due to other uses for the table.

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    Lisa Vorpahl
    Lil Explorers
    Chandler AZ
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  • 12.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-05-2020 10:42 AM
    Hi Monica,
    I am also in a school-based setting and am in a room that is completely carpeted. I bought a couple of chair mats (the kind you put under a rolling desk chair in a carpeted office space) to put under our easel. I really like them since they provide a durable hard surface that is easy to clean, and are not hazards for tripping/slipping. Since they are designed with cleats to hold the mat in place on carpet they don't slip once you lay them down. If you get the rectangle-shaped ones, you can put several together to fit the space you have. 
    Carol

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    Carol Whalen
    Preschool Teacher and Program Coordinator
    Pine Ridge School FACE Program
    Pine Ridge SD
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  • 13.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-05-2020 10:57 AM
    The chair mats are an awesome idea!

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    Lisa Vorpahl
    Lil Explorers
    Chandler AZ
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  • 14.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-06-2020 02:29 PM
    Hi there! 

    Get you a plastic floor mat for your playdough area. Easy clean up. 

    La'Shay M. Williams
    Elementary Art Teacher
    Humboldt Academy of Higher Learning
    Stix ECC
    LaShay.Williams@slps.org
     
    "Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school." - Albert Einstein
     





  • 15.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-06-2020 11:46 PM
    I have the same problem.  Usually play dough falls on the floor and gets tracked around in the kids' shoes.  We started using large plastic trays (with an edge like a jelly roll pan) for play dough play and found that it keeps the play dough on the tray and off the floor (usually).  I can't believe it took me 20 years to try that!

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    Lara Kassel
    Teacher
    Rockford IL
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  • 16.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-07-2020 04:56 PM
    We use plastic trays similar to cafeteria trays, but a bit larger. Children are asked to keep the playdough on the trays. We have been very successful in keeping 95% of the playdough off of the carpet. The trays don't seem to hamper the children's play at all.

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    Susanne O'Drobinak
    Valparaiso IN
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  • 17.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 05-08-2020 08:54 AM
    If you look at Walmart/Target they have clear mat like things you can put under the table usually in bathroom section for grip in showers or bathroom floors but it works well. 
    You can also try a tarp cut to the size you need great for painting also.

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    Hilary Peak
    Preschool/Toddler Teacher
    Worcester JCC
    Worcester MA
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  • 18.  RE: Playdough Center

    Posted 06-02-2020 11:45 AM
    Hi!!!

    I have had a lot of success with keeping things on the table by using trays.   The concept comes from the Montessori world and you can find more info on the web.  Google Tray tasking.  It helps keep legos and other smaller manipulatives on the table as well. 

    Audette

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    Audette Bisaillon
    Director of SchoolAge Programs
    ROSCCO
    Fairfield CT
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