29th September 2026
What is Dough Disco?
Playdough at the ready.
Music ON.
Hands ready.
It is time to DISCO!
If you work in Early Years, have children at primary school, or have spent any time searching for fun fine-motor activities, there is a good chance you have heard of Dough Disco™.
But what is Dough Disco, why do children do it and what does dancing around with a lump of dough have to do with learning to write?
Quite a lot, actually!
Dough Disco is all about combining music, movement and playdough to exercise those important hand and finger muscles. It is simple, energetic, fun and, most importantly, children LOVE doing it.
So grab your dough and let us get those fingers moving!
Let Us Learn About Dough Disco Together!
Dough Disco is a fine motor activity that involves manipulating playdough using a series of hand and finger movements while listening and moving along to music.
Children might squeeze it.
Roll it.
Pinch it.
Poke it.
Squash it.
Flatten it.
And yes, occasionally watch it fly across the table when somebody gets VERY enthusiastic!
The idea is to get the hands and fingers moving through a range of actions, helping children exercise the muscles and develop the control needed for activities such as mark-making and writing.
And because we are Spread the Happiness, we could not possibly do all of that in silence.
We add MUSIC!
The result is a short, lively activity that can become part of the daily routine in nurseries, Reception classrooms, schools and homes.
Who Invented Dough Disco?
Shonette Bason, the founder of Spread the Happiness, created Doughh Disco™.
And it started with a problem.
While teaching, Shonette noticed that children in her class were struggling to write letters. Rather than simply giving them MORE writing to do, she started looking at what needed to happen before successful writing could take place.
Children need control of their hands and fingers.
Those muscles need exercise and opportunities to develop.
Inspired by finger exercises and her research into children’s development, Shonette combined finger movements with something children already love: getting their hands into.
Dough!
Then came the disco.
Music, movement, happiness and learning were brought together and Dough Disco was born.
Today, Dough Disco is used by educators and children around the world.
Not bad for a lump of dough!
What Are the Benefits of Dough Disco?
Dough Disco is enormous fun, but there is a purpose behind all that squeezing, poking and rolling.
One of its main aims is to exercise the muscles in the hands and fingers and support fine motor control.
Fine motor skills involve the smaller movements we make using areas such as our hands, fingers and wrists. Children use these skills constantly.
Think about everything little hands are expected to do.
Fasten a button.
Use scissors.
Pick up small objects.
Turn pages.
Use cutlery.
Draw.
Make marks.
Hold and control a pencil.
Write.
Developing strength, dexterity, and hand control can therefore support children as they move towards mark-making and writing.
Dough provides resistance while children manipulate it, turning simple movements into a workout for little fingers.
No dumbbells required!
How Does Dough Disco Help With Writing?
Writing is not just about knowing what a letter looks like.
There is a physical side too.
Children eventually need to be able to hold and control a writing tool and make increasingly precise movements.
If those little hands find fine movements difficult, writing can become much harder work.
Dough Disco provides an opportunity to practise different hand and finger movements BEFORE expecting children to produce pages of handwriting.
That is something we are incredibly passionate about at Spread the Happiness.
Early writing doesn’t need to begin with sitting at a table holding a pencil.
Movement matters.
Physical development matters.
Play matters.
Dough Disco can be one part of that journey towards confident mark-making and writing.
What Are the Dough Disco Moves?
One of the brilliant things about Dough Disco is its simplicity.
You do not need a room full of expensive equipment.
You need some dough, some music and hands ready to MOVE!
Common Dough Disco moves include:
Squeeze: Grab the dough and squeeze it with your whole hand.
Roll: Use the hands to roll the dough into a ball.
Sausage: Roll backwards and forwards to create a long sausage shape.
Poke: Use individual fingers to poke holes into the dough.
Pinch: Pinch pieces of dough using the fingers and thumb.
Pancake: Squash and flatten the dough using your hand.
Different movements challenge the hands and fingers in different ways.
The moves can then be combined with music to create a short Dough Disco routine.
Once children become familiar with them, why not let them choose the next move?
Suddenly you have got children exercising their fingers, listening, following instructions, making choices AND having fun.
That is our kind of learning!
How Long Should a Dough Disco Last?
You do not need an hour.
You do not even need half an hour.
Dough Disco works brilliantly as a short, regular activity that can fit into the day.
Around five minutes can be plenty.
The beauty of a short activity is that it is much easier to incorporate into your routine.
Come in.
Get the dough.
Music on.
Disco.
Then move on with your day!
Regular opportunities to use and manipulate dough can give children repeated practice without the activity feeling like a handwriting lesson.
Because to them, it is a disco.
Exactly as it should be.
What Age is Dough Disco For?
Here comes one of our favourite things about Dough Disco.
There is no age limit!
It is particularly popular in Early Years because developing fine motor skills is such an important part of children’s physical development and preparation for writing.
But fingers do not suddenly stop needing movement because you have left Reception!
Dough Disco can be adapted for different ages and abilities and has been used in schools, homes and settings for older adults.
The important thing is choosing activities appropriate for the individual.
Because everybody deserves a little disco in their day.
Can You Do Dough Disco at Home?
ABSOLUTELY!
Dough Disco is not just for nurseries and schools.
Parents and carers can join in at home too.
All you really need is a piece of dough and some music.
Choose a song.
Grab your dough.
Start with simple movements such as squeezing, rolling, poking and pinching.
Then join in!
Yes, adults too.
Children learn by watching and copying, and joining the activity together makes it playful rather than just another thing they are being told to practise.
Spread the Happiness TV on YouTube also has Dough Disco videos that children, parents and educators can follow along with.
Perfect if you are wondering where to start.
Dough Disco and Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle
If you love Dough Disco, you might also come across another Spread the Happiness favourite: Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle.
While Dough Disco focuses particularly on exercising the hands and fingers, Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle encourages children to use larger movements as part of their journey towards mark-making and writing.
Think BIG before we go small.
Dance.
Move.
Squiggle.
Then develop greater control as those early physical skills grow.
Together, activities like Dough Disco and Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle help make early writing preparation active, exciting and FUN.
Because learning to write shouldn’t mean taking all the movement out of childhood.
Ready to Dough Disco?
So, what is Dough Disco?
It is playdough.
It is music.
It is movement.
But most importantly, it is a simple and joyful way to get hands and fingers exercising while children have FUN.
You do not need complicated equipment or hours of preparation.
A little dough, a brilliant tune and a few minutes can get you started.
Whether you are an Early Years practitioner, teacher, parent, carer or someone who thinks learning could do with a little more happiness, give it a go.
Roll it.
Squeeze it.
Poke it.
Pinch it.
And turn that music UP.
Welcome to the Dough Disco!
17th September 2026
What is Pedagogy?
Pedagogy. It sounds like one of those big education words that needs a university lecture, three textbooks and a very strong cup of coffee to understand.
It really does not!
Pedagogy is simply the way we think about teaching and learning. It is how we teach, why we teach that way and how we help people learn successfully.
And we LOVE talking about learning.
Great pedagogy is not about getting everybody to sit quietly while information is delivered to them. Learning can involve movement, talking, experimenting, making mistakes, laughing, playing, questioning and having another go.
Pedagogy helps us think about all of that.
So, let us get stuck in.
What is the actual definition of Pedagogy?
The simplest definition of pedagogy is the method and practice of teaching.
But much more is happening beneath that definition.
Pedagogy includes the decisions an educator makes about how learning will happen. What will you teach? How will you explain it? What activities will you use? How will you know whether somebody understands? What will you do when they don’t?
It can include:
- teaching methods
- learning activities
- questioning
- assessment and feedback
- relationships between educators and learners
- the learning environment
- resources
- play and exploration
- movement
- collaboration
- the individual needs of learners
Good pedagogy asks an incredibly important question:
How can I help THIS person learn?
Not an imaginary perfect pupil.
Not the child who can sit still for 45 minutes.
The actual learner standing, sitting, bouncing or wiggling in front of you!
What is Pedagogy in Education?
When we talk about pedagogy in education, we are talking about the thinking and methods behind what happens in a classroom, nursery, college, training room or any other learning environment.
Imagine two teachers teaching the same subject.
One might demonstrate something before asking children to practise it. Another might start with an activity and encourage children to discover the answer. Another might use movement, songs, actions and repetition.
Same learning goal. Different pedagogy.
There are several established approaches to pedagogy.
Behaviourist pedagogy tends to be more teacher-led, using methods such as demonstration, repetition and direct instruction.
Constructivist pedagogy focuses on learners developing knowledge through experiences, activities and reflection.
Social constructivism places greater emphasis on learning together, with conversation, collaboration and guidance helping learners develop their understanding.
There are many more ideas and theories, and teachers don’t need to squeeze themselves into one little pedagogical box.
Great educators build their toolkit.
They watch.
They listen.
They adapt.
Most importantly, they know their learners.
Why Does Pedagogy Matter?
Because teaching something does not automatically mean somebody has learned it!
We can create the most beautiful lesson plan in the world, but if it doesn’t connect with the learners in front of us, something needs to change.
Effective pedagogy helps educators consider what learners already know, what they need next and what might help that learning stick.
That might mean slowing down.
It might mean getting up and MOVING.
It might mean repeating something tomorrow.
It might mean allowing children to explore before giving them the answer.
It might even mean scrapping part of the beautifully organised lesson because your class needs something completely different that day.
That is teaching.
That is pedagogy in action.
Pedagogy for Children
Children are not miniature adults.
Especially in the Early Years!
Young children are developing physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively at an incredible rate. Pedagogy for children needs to recognise the whole child rather than focusing purely on academic outcomes.
At Spread the Happiness, we are huge believers in the power of movement, rhythm, play and sensory experiences, particularly during the Early Years.
Before we expect children to spend long periods writing, for example, we need to think about the physical foundations that support writing.
Can they coordinate their movements?
Have they developed their gross motor skills?
Are their hands and fingers getting stronger?
Can they control the movements they need?
This is why activities such as Dough Disco and Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle incorporate movement into learning.
Learning does not always have to begin at a table!
Play is important too.
Through play, children can investigate ideas, communicate, solve problems, build relationships, practise language and develop independence. The adult still has a vital role, but sometimes the most powerful thing an educator can do is create the opportunity, ask a brilliant question and allow the child to explore.
That is pedagogy too.
Does Pedagogy Change With Age?
Absolutely.
The principles of helping someone learn remain important throughout life, but pedagogy should respond to the learner’s age, experience, confidence, and needs.
A three-year-old exploring numbers through songs, objects and movement needs something very different from a 15-year-old preparing for an exam.
And adults have different needs again.
Adult education is sometimes discussed using the term andragogy, particularly when talking about approaches specifically designed for adult learners.
Adults bring years of knowledge and life experience into learning. They often want to understand why something is useful, how it connects with what they already know and how they can apply it.
This matters when teaching older adults, too.
Pedagogy for Elderly and Older Learners
Learning does NOT have an expiry date!
Older adults can learn new skills, develop hobbies, explore technology, join classes and continue challenging themselves throughout their lives.
The pedagogy may need to adapt.
When supporting elderly or older learners, educators might consider the pace of learning, previous experience, accessibility, confidence and opportunities for repetition.
And please do not assume that being older automatically means being unable to learn technology!
Good teaching starts with the individual rather than assumptions about their age.
Learning can also provide something beyond knowledge. Group activities and classes create opportunities for conversation, connection, creativity and shared experiences.
Whether somebody is 4, 44 or 84, feeling comfortable enough to ask questions and make mistakes matters.
What Does Great Pedagogy Look Like?
There is not one magic lesson format.
Sorry!
If there were, teachers everywhere could download it, laminate it and head home early.
Great pedagogy is responsive.
It combines professional knowledge with an understanding of the people you teach. It gives learners opportunities to think, practise, question, move, communicate and experience success.
For children, that could mean more opportunities to learn through movement and play.
For teenagers, it might involve discussion, modelling, independent practice and feedback.
For adults and elderly learners, it might mean connecting new knowledge with existing experiences and providing meaningful opportunities to apply it.
The common ingredient?
The learner matters.
Pedagogy is not simply about what an educator does at the front of a room. It is about creating the conditions where learning can actually happen.
So next time somebody asks, “What is pedagogy?”, do not panic at the fancy word.
It is the thinking behind great teaching.
It is knowing your learners, choosing methods with purpose, adapting when something is not working and finding ways to make learning meaningful.
And yes, sometimes the best answer really is to get everybody up, get moving and add a little more happiness to learning!
If you want to learn more, reach out to the Spread the Happiness team today!
14th September 2026
Dolly Parton Day
Happy New Year!
I know you are back, you are busy and your to do list already has a to do list… so I have done the work for you to help us celebrate the legend herself Dolly Parton.
Come celebrate Dolly Parton Day Friday 25/9 with me? It might not be right for your class if they are already full of kindness and love books but you do not want to share!
25/9 = Dolly Parton Day!
(And yes… 9 to 5 gives us the date)
What a brilliant opportunity to spend a day teaching kindness, celebrating books and wearing a few sparkles!
I have already written loads of simple ideas you can take straight to your team, no extra planning needed.
It would be wonderful if we all celebrated the life of a woman who has genuinely made a difference in the world, especially through bringing books to children?
And obviously… who is not doing their Dough Disco to the Country Queen herself?! My choice? It HAS to be 9 to 5! What is yours?
Let us spread a little Dolly happiness on 25/9.
Happy New Year!
Shonette xx
19th May 2026
Why Movement Matter More Than Ever
As childhood becomes increasingly digital, schools are seeing the impact in real time.
Recent UK statistics show that:
- Toddlers are now averaging around 2 hours of screen time daily
- 91% of children own a smartphone by age 1
- More children exhibit weaker fine motor skills, reduced core strength, and delayed attention regulation.
Technology is part of modern life, but movement must be too.
This is why practices like Dough Disco, Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle and daily movement sessions are no longer ‘extras’ within the school day. They are essential for development.
These activities help children to:
- strengthen hand and finger muscles for writing
- develop coordination and motor skills
- improve balance, posture and body awareness
- support communication,
- focus and emotionally regulate
Children learn best through movement, rhythm, play and sensory experiences especially in the Early Years. Before children can hold a pencil confidently, they need opportunities to move.
At Spread the Happiness, we believe creating happier schools starts with protecting childhood development in a rapidly changing digital world.
2nd February 2026
Transcription – Building Writing, Spelling and Reading from EYFS into Year 1
Childhood has changed but writing expectations have not, or should I say traditional education solutions to better writing have not. In Early Years we are constantly being asked to put aside movement for tables and chairs. Why can’t we do both?
Too many children are being asked to write before their bodies are coordinated and all the pre wriring foundations are in place. Chairs, tables and pencil grip will not fix that. So in all our deliberate teaching why don’t we do both?
I have created a brand new training entitled:
Transcription – Building Writing, Spelling and Reading from EYFS into Year 1
With movement as the answer to readiness. It foucused on what children actually need before formal writing becomes a struggle
28th November 2025
I Will Not Start Christmas Yet!
Every year (usually right after Halloween) my team asks the same question:
‘When do we start Christmas?’
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas as much as anyone. But in Early Years, starting the festive season too soon can leave both children and adults completely worn out before we even reach December.
The excitement stretches on, routines slip, and by party day someone is always in tears (and it is not always a child!).
To help you enjoy a calmer, happier run-up to Christmas, here are my four tried-and-tested tips for a stress-free December in Early Years.
1. Keep Your Routine Structured Right to the End
Children thrive when their days feel predictable. Keeping your usual routine helps them feel safe, settled, and far less anxious.
You don’t need to turn every activity Christmas-themed—just sprinkle a few festive ideas into your existing planning. I keep my Book of the Week going right up to the final day of the Autumn term, and it truly helps reduce the chaos.
2. Add Extra Outdoor Time
Outdoor play is your secret weapon for calmer, happier children in December.
Let them run, jump, shout, and move. It burns off energy, reduces fidgeting during performances, and resets excitement levels. If the indoor buzz gets too big, take the class outside for a quick game—or grab bells and shakers for a cheerful carol singalong. Instant smiles guaranteed!
3. Teach Simple Breathing Techniques
December can be overstimulating for everyone, so teaching calm breathing helps children build self-regulation skills.
We use a Mel Robbins–style mantra:
- Breathe in and out four times
- Place a hand on your heart
- Say: “I am ok, I am loved, and I feel safe.”
It works beautifully for staff and children alike.
4. Keep It Fun (and Remember Every Child’s Experience Is Different)
There’s so much to squeeze in—shows, cards, crafts, fairs—and it can all feel overwhelming.
I always remind my team that not every child will have the Christmas we imagine. School may be the place where they experience warmth, consistency, and joy. So keep things light, keep things kind, and keep things fun
17th October 2025
Back to School… yes it is only October!
Hello lovely friends,
I know, I know… I have been a bit quiet. But there is a very good reason for my vanishing act: I have been opening my Spread the Happiness Private Nursery and let me tell you… it has been eye opening in every possible way.
Between welcoming brand new little humans (and their grown ups), battling through Ofsted forms that seem to multiply overnight, and setting up systems that make my brain do star jumps, I have learned a LOT. (Mainly: Coffee is essential, and Ofsted will always find ‘just one more thing’).
Those first few weeks?
Whew!
Let’s just say settling digital children into real life routines is like trying to download calm on dial up internet, but here we are in Week Five and I can finally breathe.
The children are laughing, learning, making friends, and I am seeing the magic happen.
The impact? HUGE.
The progress? HEART MELTING.
And to my fellow educators, movers and shakers:
Keep going. Even when it is messy. Even when the clipboard brigade is circling.
Keep moving. Because big things are coming, and every movement you add to your routine will raise that GLD!
Oh and P.S. I am so grateful I wrote my Parachute Rhymes Book. Truly, it has been my lifesaver during these whirlwind weeks. If you have ever needed to entertain a group while simultaneously managing snack time and a surprise fire drill… you will understand. There is so much self regulation in parachute time.
Here’s to a joyful, wobbly, wonderful back to school season.
We have got this! I am here for you if you need anything.
With love and a lot of coffee with Turkish delight!
25th September 2025
Food as a Play Resource – The Truth
I recently saw a post about using food as a play resource, lentils, chick peas, pasta, rice and things. When I read some comments I just thought ‘I’ve had enough!’.
Enough of people criticising each other for doing things. I use food as resource because it’s cheap and usually it’s me funding the resource! I also run a charity that feeds children in poverty directly through schools, so am I at conflict with my beliefs or am I, like you just doing the best with what I’ve got?
This constant don’t use this, do use that is made up and different, dependent on setting. When I asked inspectors they look at me strangely, because the truth is they don’t care what’s in your tuff tray, they care about the teaching and learning that activity generates. No setting has ever failed for simply doing its best for the children.
So instead of criticising, let’s start sharing our solutions? I’ve had an idea, because we’ve all been apart WAY too long, to get us all back together in the room, drinking tea or coffee and sharing ideas. I miss those days and the fear culture we are in will only go away if we do something and that something is stick together.
8th January 2024
Over Worked and Overwhelmed?
Do you often catch yourself whispering those dreaded words, “I’m overworked and overwhelmed”? It is a common thing to hear, however…
Would you like to know a little secret?
When you say even just the words, overwhelmed or overworked, it makes your busy life even worse because you create a story in your head about it and it is a negative one. I promise you when you stop telling yourself this story you will feel better.
Here are three ways to stop the overwhelm story:
- Notice how often you are saying negative words like overwhelmed, overworked, stressed, busy, manic…
- Change your vocabulary. I am feeling stressed becomes I can manage this. I am overwhelmed becomes let’s get organised and schedule this. Reminder: You are only human and can only do your best.
- What’s your screen time score? When I feel negative my screen time hours go through the roof and on Mondays when it pings ‘6 hours’ I think ???? what could you have done in that time?! ( Watch out on my Instagram story for my new phone fasting ???? @basonshonette)
4th December 2023
Talk, Talk, Talk to Me!
Recently people started using words like ‘Quality Interactions.’
When I hear a phrase like this being overused, I know the inspectors are looking for something new! This year it’s communication and language within Early Years.
We know talk is low on entry but what’s the simple solution for our teams?
A child aged two years should know 50 words
A child aged three years 200 words
A child aged four 5000 words
A child aged five 10000 words!
Quality interaction means adults talking to children, and before we download 5000 words and start to speak them, I’ve found research that says it isn’t the word count from the adult to child; it’s the conversation that matters. Quality conversation. Ask your teams to up the level of conversation they are having with children.
I have written a “Talk, Talk, Talk to Me” programme which delves deeper into research, gives staff specific conversations and words to increase their conversation. It also has a whole progressive program for talk within Early Years and even shows how to gain clear evidence as well. It is online, so it’s cost-effective, and my first training is on 7th December from 4-6 pm. Hope to see you there and get you totally confident in Language for Communication.
