It is a three dimensional medium. Clay modeling is a medium very close to finger painting. This offers a direct sensory experience and develops co-ordination among finer muscles. When they squeeze, pat and pound on clay that may also serve to drain-off some of the resentment at interferences which they might not have been able to express beforehand. By smashing clay many children get rid of hostile feelings developed in them for any reason or other. The fingers are the best tools for clay modeling.
If the teacher becomes quite conscious of the mistakes and spoon feeds them he will be mainly responsible to block the creative power within the child which could have made the child an original and creative artist in future
It fosters creativity, emotional relief and satisfaction.
It helps to learn about measuring and blending.
Recipe for the dough
Materials: 6 cups of flour, 1 cup oil, paint.
Procedure: Mix flour and paint together and then add oil. Add enough oil to make dough soft and pliable. This dough is soft and elastic and can be used with ease by 2 year old as well as 5 years old.
Cover tables with oil cloth or plastic sheet to facilitate quick cleaning. Keep a special cloth for this.
Assemble materials- clay or dough, aprons, oil cloth, plastic sheet, buckets, towel. If clay is used – keep a small pan of water for moisturizing hands.
Plan the activity, so that children can participate in the mixing. It offers valuable learning experience and great fun.
Make a depression in each large lump of clay and fill it with water, it keeps the clay moist.
The dough should be kept in the refrigerator in a sealed tin.
Variations: Allow the dough/clay objects to dry and then paint and dip in the melted paraffin. Offer chilled dough with fresh dough. Occasionally use knives, cookie cutters and rolling pins to shape the clay/dough.
Last modified: Thursday, 10 November 2011, 6:02 AM
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