I walked into a room and gasped at the colored spots splattered all over the white carpeting. I told myself that I will never let that happen. 

What I was gasping at was playdough that had been squished into white carpeting, and the scene was grim.  This, among other things, formed my attitude about how we would raise our children, and what I would not allow them to play with.

I am sure that many of you have had similar experiences and are walking through some of these same preconceived notions right now. 

I have to thank my family members and friends who took the time to share with me the developmental value of activities like playing with playdough. They taught me how to set boundaries that would allow the children to indulge in the squishy, mushy, messy activities they so loved, and save my sanity at the same time!

1. Playdough Is Fun and Beneficial

In our home, playdough was the most dreaded playtime activity for me.  But once I learned its value, outside of being fun for the children, I changed my view.

The moldable and squishy properties of playdough make it fun. It also secretly builds the muscles in your toddler's tiny hands, which helps develop fine motor skills. It prepares them to hold pencils and use scissors later in their developmental years. 

It’s also a tactile exercise that can be squeezed, flattened, chopped, cut, poked and shredded! Each one of these actions builds fine motor development and develops hand-eye coordination and general concentration. 

Some of our children’s favorite tools were the things I removed from the kitchen.  Don’t be afraid to use those cookie cutters, rolling pins, garlic presses, etc. And the best advice I received was when playdough does in fact get in the carpet, teach your children not to squish it with their toes (while that could be fun if outside). Wait for it to dry, and it’ll vacuum right up!

2. Shaving Cream Is Messy Fun

Toddlers love anything messy, as we all know, and being messy is so fun!  Messy fun is a special treat, and as mothers, we try to do these fun things when we have plenty of gas in our emotional tanks. Otherwise, we knew we’d lose control quickly.

Set your toddler at a table with a plastic table cloth, adorn with an apron, and place in front of them a cookie sheet with a pile of shaving cream.  They can practice writing letters, numbers, their name or just simply squishing it between their fingers.  This activity will have them practicing early writing skills, introducing them to new textures and help those children who have a phobia of messy hands to enjoy this kind of messy fun. 

And for those of us parents who like to keep things neat all of the time, it’ll teach you something about letting go and enjoying a little mess!

3. Markers Are for Paper, Not for Walls

We decided early that instead of creating a sterilized playroom without a single worry, we would have potentially messy things available to our toddlers, while setting clear boundaries. Our extended family shared that they would not be putting things up and away for our visits. We needed to teach our children the word “no.” So we began the training at home.

Toddlers love markers over crayons. So we bought washable markers and set them up at a craft desk with bundles of paper.  Our children were taught to use the makers only on the paper, and if they did not obey the rules, then they lost marker privileges.

We did have to put the markers away when friends came over, but this proved to be a wonderful teaching tool for our children. Rules and boundaries were set, and it allowed them to practice early writing skills and creativity.

4. Water Play Is Good Summer Fun

One of our children’s favorite activities was water play. We had a water play table at one point, but in all honesty, they preferred the water hose with big plastic kitchen bowls, measuring cups, funnels and spoons. They would play for hours moving water from one receptacle to another. 

This was also a great way to entertain children of differing ages. If one is able to swim and the other is much younger, they both could have water fun without either of us getting into the water. This activity develops fine motor skills, and is fun.

It goes without saying, never leave your toddler alone if they are playing in water. 

5. Make Workbooks Fun, Not Work

Being a military family, we have moved frequently. So the children grew accustomed to long car rides. We were not a family that relied heavily on a DVD or passed out snacks right away. Instead, we used them sparingly.

We would stock each child’s backpack with “work” to occupy their time. I would scour the local dollar store for coloring books, maze books, or workbooks for them to practice their letters and numbers. Our all-time favorites were the search-and-find picture books. Highlights has one where you place a sticker on the picture which made it extra fun! 

Workbooks were great for strengthening those tiny hand muscles, and developing their fine motor skills, while teaching reading early!  The act of scanning a page for images is just like scanning a page for words.

Get creative.  We live in a world of consumerism, and we can all fall into the trap of purchasing the latest-and-greatest, shiny toy. However, if you step back and think about what that new toy will teach your child, I’d bet you have something at home or in your backyard that will teach them the exact same skill for less!  The best part is the kids will not know the difference, and you will teach them to use what they have. 

Remember, you are training your children, but don’t forget to have fun with it!