Group Learning Experience Planning Sheet:

Student Name: Jessica Edwards Course Code: ECS2040

Age Group: 14 months to 3 years Date:

Learning Experience: Sensory and Math Activity- Playdough Shapes
Programming Purpose:

The toddlers I am working with are currently beginning to learn about basic math concepts
such as identifying numbers and counting. Shapes are another concept that the children in the
classroom have been introduced through in the form of visuals around their classroom and
during activities such as playing with playdough using cookie cutters to create shapes. I would
like to use a material the children are familiar with (playdough) to expand on the concept of
shapes to increase the childrens vocabulary involving shapes and giving a new purpose to
tools they are already familiar with such as cookie cutters. The toddlers are currently in a stage
of development where their vocabulary is increasing very quickly, and this vocabulary growth
can be increased by discusses concepts and exploring concepts through hands-on exploration.
Objective:
The children will:
1) Explore spatial problem solving and cause-and-effect when creating shapes by
manipulating playdough using their hands and tools.
2) Practice sensory motor integration when using more complex tools such as scissors
and the hand-eye coordination skills required to use them.
3) Practice fine motor skills when using tools such as playdough scissors and cookie
cutters to manipulate playdough and create shapes.
4) Explore the early math concept of basic and more complex shapes.

Materials:

Playdough in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple (six)

Cookie cutters in various shapes
Laminated paper sheets with pre-drawn shapes children can use to practice moulding
dough (six)
Chairs (three)
Cleaning Spray
Paper Towel
Set Up:

Implementation:

1. I will set up the laminated shaped sheets, tools and play dough containers onto the
table.
2. I will invite three children to the table and ask them to wash their hands.
3. After the children have sat down, I will introduce them to the shape sheets and point
out the different shapes the children have seen before using statements such as: Look
at this shape, this is a square just like the square on our shapes poster.
4. After a brief introduction to the shapes, I will distribute the playdough among the
children (one colour per child).
5. As the children explore the p[laydough and tools I will move from child to child,
helping them to use their hands or tools to create the shapes on top of the outlines on
the laminated sheets.
6. Throughout the activity I will ask the child open questions about the shapes they are
making. I can also use modified songs such as modified versions of the make a circle
song used commonly during circle time sessions:
a. Make a circle, make a circle, big and round
b. Make a triangle, make a triangle, one, two, three
c. Make a square, make a square, with four sides, with four sides
7. I will challenge the children to make shapes using the playdough, the shape I suggest
will depend on the childrens level of ability and familiarity with shapes. For example,
a child who is less familiar with shapes may have an easier time mould a circle than a
star or heart.
8. After the children have finished exploring the shape sheets and playdough, I will
dismiss them and clean up the materials:
a. Put playdough back into air tight containers.
b. Place tools and cookie cutters into sink.
c. Clean and sanitize table using cleaning spray and paper towel.
d. Sanitize tools and cookie cutters using cleaning solution and water.
Learning Strategy #1
Challenges:

Although the children have used cookie cutters and playdough tools before, and enjoy using
playdough often during free play time, this activity is slightly structured. My goal is to guide
the children to create a particular type of object with their playdough (shapes) in order to do
this I will use the power of suggestion and challenge the children to make shapes. The type of
shapes I challenge them to create will depend on their skills levels. I will also use the
laminated sheets as a key tool in helping the children visual the shapes and how they can
manipulate the playdough. Examples include:
______ can you show me how to make a circle?
______ you made a circle? Lets make a triangle together
______ do you think you can make a square?
Learning Strategy #2
Paraphrasing Reflections:

During the activity when children discuss the shapes, playdough or any topics overall I want to
paraphrase the things they have said so they can practice language skills such as annunciation,
sentence building and building their overall vocabulary. For example, if a child were to say a
short sentence such as a circle, I can paraphrase and expand this sentence by respond with
Thats right ______ you made your own circle. The response adds more information to what
the child has already expressed.

Overall Evaluation
What worked during this experience? Why?
What did not work during this experience? Why?

What might you have done differently?

What theory might you use to support these changes?