Clay!

When was the last time you had the clay out?

Clay is often forgotten about, as a wondrous malleable resource, it’s often left to go hard or considered too messy to use!

But clay is one of nature’s great resources and offers a different sensory experience than simple play dough.

Clay provides endless possibilities, and through squeezing, squashing or twisting it can change, encouraging ideas and creativity to flow.

Children can discover what happens when water is added to dried out clay?

Watching and discovering how it brings the clay back to life, a soft consistency or even silky, wet slip.

Letting children experience how it becomes dry, brittle and flakey.

Or wet, slippy and cold to touch!

How their creations transform, dries out and changes colour after a few days.

“Steiner emphasised the artistic value of young children “handling clay” and even “struggling with [such] outer materials.” Their exertion helps them develop willpower and connect actively with the world. In his words.” Quote from the Online Waldorf library.

Clay offers a great opportunity for developing physical strength in the wrist, hands and fingers, much needed dexterity and pre requisite for formal handwriting and pencil control.

At Curiosity Approach® settings we look to natural sensory experiences such as clay and mud (alternatives to trays of sensory food play)

Allowing children to be CURIOUS, to play, explore and discover through nature and Mother Earth.

When was the last time you provided CLAY?

Tools to use

Various types of combs