CHILD CARE
BY MANDY



Something that can help children express their feelings is playdough. Why buy it from a shop where you can make your own though?
These recipes are all safe if they get eaten but some of them don't taste very nice! If you want to keep it for later after you've made the dough, just keep it in an airtight box!

1 c. Smooth Peanut Butter
1/2 c. Honey
2 c. Nonfat Dry Milk

Mix together the peanut butter and honey first. Add half of the dry milk and mix; then continue to add a little at a time until it feels soft & playful! Use less than 2 cups of dry milk if the clay seems to be getting dry.

You can add raisins, coconut, chocolate chips etc. to decorate. YES, YOU CAN EAT IT! Get your child to help you make it and they'll feel good about themselves and it'll raise their self esteem.

This next one won't taste very nice if it's eaten but your child will feel good about helping you to make it!

1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of salt
2 tbsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp oil
1 cup of water.

I cooked mine on the hob in a saucepan, just stir until it gradually turns into a dough, then allow to cool. This one doesn't taste very nice 'cos of all the salt but it is so easy your child will love to make it!

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
about 1 cup water (add about ½ first and gradually add from there)

You can put in a smidge of oil to make it a little more elastic, and a few drops of food colouring if you're after gharish colours - but both of those are optional. It'll also bake in a low temp oven so you can stretch the activity out and have them painting whatever it is they've made the next day! Oh, and practice saying "Not in your mouth" and "Don't eat it" over and over, because it'll come in handy. :o) the Coeliac Society recommend this one ;)

Gluten-free playdough recipe
1 cup of rice
1 cup of cornflour
1 cup salt
4 tsps of cream of tartar
2 cups water
2 tbsps vegetable oil
Food colouring
Nb 1 cup = 8oz

Method
Put all the ingredients into a saucepan. Cook over a low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring well all the time. The mixture is very runny to start with but gradually firms up. Remove from the heat and knead on a table or large board to remove any lumps. Roll into a large ball and store in an airtight tub. It will keep for several months.