Flour Dough Knead

What you need

• a handful of flour
• a jug of water
• a tray
• a couple of cups and bowls

How to do it

1. Tip flour into a bowl and add water a little at a time.
2. Let them squeeze and mix until it turns into a rough dough.
3. Set the dough on a tray and show them how to press and knead it.
4. Keep adding flour if it gets too sticky.

Why it matters

Working the dough with both hands builds the grip and forearm strength they will later use for pencils and cutlery.

What they're learning

hand strength

Kneading dough builds the same forearm and grip muscles they will use to hold a pencil and cut with cutlery.

cause and effect

Watching flour and water turn into dough shows them that mixing things changes them, an early taste of how cooking works.

bilateral coordination

Pressing and folding with both hands together lays groundwork for tasks like buttoning a coat or tying shoes.

What to look for

Watch for them pressing with flat palms or curious pokes rather than just mashing it flat.

A tip

Do this on a tray or old towel, it stops flour spreading everywhere and makes clean-up quick.

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