Pre-writing play is necessary for preschoolers as they grow and develop. Pre-writing skills are fundamental to coloring, holding a pencil, writing, and drawing. Help encourage your own preschooler’s emerging skills this summer with a zesty Mandarin Orange Playdough and our free pre-writing line paths printable.

Mandarin Orange Playdough: Pre-Writing Line Paths for Preschoolers!

Making Mandarin Orange Playdough with your preschoolers is a sensory experience they will love. The playdough smells wonderful and the zest of the mandarin oranges provides an extra sensory layer that makes playing to learn FUN! You can make your own mandarin orange playdough using the recipe below or simply add a a few drops of orange juice and the zest of one mandarin orange to commercial playdough. Either way, the playdough is a great tool for promoting the important pre-writing skills below:

• Object Manipulation – manipulating the playdough to form various shapes and line paths necessary for formal writing
• Visual Perception – the ability of the brain to interpret and make sense of various images (basic line paths)
• Bilateral Integration – using both hands together with one hand leading (one forming the playdough line paths while the other holds the paper or assists in creation)
• Hand-Eye Coordination – the ability to interpret and process information seen by the eyes and control the hands to perform a task
• Fine Motor Control – developing the fine muscle control necessary for gaining the strength and dexterity needed for formal handwriting
• Left/Right Directionality – using line paths to encourage left/right directionality necessary for reading and writing

Mandarin Orange Playdough Recipe

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• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 Tbls. Orange Jello (for coloring)
• Zest of one mandarin orange

Place all ingredients (except the orange zest) in a large bowl and mix well. Add the orange zest to the dough mixture before kneading. Turn the dough out onto a floured table or board and knead well. If a brighter orange color is desired, add more of the jello. It’s a simple recipe that can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to re-use. Please note: you can also add a couple of drops of orange juice and mandarin orange zest to commercial playdough to save time. It still provides a fun sensory experience for pre-writing activities with preschoolers.

Playing with Mandarin Orange Playdough for Pre-Writing Skills

Prior to the activity:  Make various line paths with a permanent marker on large wooden craft sticks or index cards. Note: the line paths in the photo above are suggestions, but any line paths can be used.

Directions:

• Set out all supplies on a table or large tray. Allow preschoolers time to practice rolling long “worms” with the Mandarin Orange Playdough. It’s great fine motor play for preschoolers.
• Next, invite your preschoolers to choose one craft stick (or labeled index card) at a time. Preschoolers can copy the line path shown to the Mandarin Orange Playdough Pre-Writing Line Paths free printable using the mandarin orange playdough-created worms.

The Mandarin Orange Playdough Pre-Writing activity is FUN for preschoolers any time of the year. Change the playdough scents to create seasonal playful learning opportunities your kids will love.

For more sensory and playdough activities your preschoolers will enjoy, please visit:

STEAM for Preschoolers: Mondrian Color Blocks with Playdough

Simple Playdough Shapes Building Challenge for Preschoolers

60+  Fall/Winter Playdough Centers for Preschoolers

Playing and Learning with ALL 5 Senses in Preschool

To play and learn with us all summer long, we have many playful learning themes available in one simple digital download. All themes include math, literacy, science, sensory, songs/fingerplays, PowerPoints, and printable play mats to encourage preschool skills through play.