Family Playdough Hair Salon
Parent and child create funny hairstyles and mustaches for family photos using playdough strips. The agent coaches the parent to observe fine motor skills like rolling playdough into strips and forming simple shapes — building hand strength and finger dexterity through imaginative play.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Playdough in various colors, family photos or pictures of people laid out on a table or floor. A flat surface for rolling playdough. Child seated comfortably with room to use both hands.
How it works
- 1~45s
Start by showing your child a family photo and say, 'Let's give this person a funny hairdo!' Pick a playdough color together — maybe something silly like bright pink or green. Now, demonstrate how to roll a small piece between your palms to make a long strip. Then invite your child to try. Watch how they uses their hands — does your child roll with both palms, or press and roll on the table? Tell me what you notice about their technique.
Watch for: Child rolls playdough between hands or on table to create long, thin strips.
- 2~50s
Now, encourage your child to use the strips to create hair and mustaches on the photo. Say, 'Let's give this person long curly hair and a funny mustache!' Watch how your child places the strips — does they carefully lay them down, or just drop them? Does they try to curve a strip for curls or shape a mustache? Notice if your child is starting to form simple shapes beyond just straight strips.
Watch for: Child forms simple playdough shapes (like curls, mustaches, or basic animal forms) with intentionality.
- 3~40s
Keep the play going by asking your child to give each family member a different crazy hairstyle. Narrate what you see — 'Wow, this one has spiky blue hair!' Then pause and listen. Does your child add to the story? Does they name their creations or explain what they's making? Watch for signs that your child is fully engaged in the imaginative scenario, not just the physical task.
Watch for: Child engages in pretend play, narrating actions, naming creations, or adding imaginative details to the activity.