Why we should all love playing with clay as much as play-dough, at home or in your setting.

1. It allows freedom of expression

When a child or adult is given a mound of clay, it can be manipulated into just about anything. The more the clay is worked the more it can be moulded into a wonderful creation. When offering clay to children, I occasionally omit the tools to see what the children can create with their bare hands; we’ve seen some amazing creations at Kinder Harmony by the smallest of hands.

Top tip: Create a work station using on a wooden board or repurpose an old cardboard box. Try placing a plain piece of paper underneath for the child to work on top; as the child manipulates the clay, it will leave marks thus adding to the creative expression of the child; this creates a wonderful smudgy fingerprint piece of art that the child can take their project home on and admire if whilst their clay project cures.

Try using white paper for terracotta clay and black paper for white/grey clay. Imagine the child taking home two beautiful pieces of mark making art to admire and the paper also doubling up as a drying mat, unique to the child’s work.

2. It’s natural

There’s no denying the awe and wonder that is sparked within a child when they play with something simple and natural. They show as much appreciation for the plain matt coloured clay as they do for the most glitter cladded, scented playdough. You can always inspire the children by showing them where clay comes from, talk about the earth and connect them to the elements.

Top tip: Why not extend their play experiences by adding other natural elements such as scented plants (non – poisonous) stones, pebbles, sticks, leaves. Always remember to consider mouthing children and leave out any items that you identify as a risk.

3. It’s a keepsake

One of my favourite things about clay is that it can be self drying (this is the type of clay we prefer to use). Once it has hardened it’s a beautiful keepsake for the child to treasure, take home or parent to look back on.

Top tip: If you’re a setting, send home the finished piece with the child when wet and leave a little note of instructions for parents on how to best dry the model; invite them to decorate the piece at home, extending the child’s home learning opportunities and working in partnership. If doing this at home with your own child, pop your drying pieces in a safe place where you can admire them and watch them solidify before decorating them.

4. Clay is ancestral

Clay has been around since the beginning of time, it’s a part of the earth, so there are so many ancestral transmissions of cultural pottery making, from prehistoric time to modern day. It’s such a wonderful multi-cultural experience for children to look at different pottery styles from all over the world, allowing them to learn more about diversity and similarities of cultures and history.

Top tip: Why not look at Egyptian pottery and then Terracotta plant pots or glazed clay pottery. Try and find as many representation of clay items locally and globally, making connections to your local community.

Talk about the differences and then why not make your own versions, decorating them once dry the following week, or adding to your makes a little each week, turning it a project. You can complete a piece over long or short periods of time based on the child’s engagement and make the fun and super creative learning experience last longer.

Where do I get clay from, I hear you cry…

Top Top: For less mess at home buy clay that is pre-made or if you fancy a lovely messy play session and extending learning by making the clay yourself, buy the dry powder clay. Both options usually come in decent sizes so should last a while depending on your projects, but remember to re-seal air tight. Nursery suppliers have good options for pre-made clay, perfect for home or smaller groups. Check out your local crafting stores; perfect for parents, nannies and smaller childcare such as childminder settings.

I hope you’ve been inspired to use clay in your setting or at home! I’d love for you to share your artwork and projects with me from home or your setting @kinderharmony

Happy Clay Play!

Dominique x