Sculpting With Clay

​We know the importance of sensory exploration to support children's development. 
In nursery we offer children many opportunities to explore their senses - through taste, smell, sight and touch. 
Over the past few weeks children have been supported to explore clay. Clay can be a tricky material to explore as it is not as malleable as playdough and some other sculpting materials.
First using their hands and whole upper body strength to explore:

pressing
squeezing
rolling
stretching
squashing

Children were supported to use the vocabulary as they explored.
They also had opportunities to use tools to make marks in the clay.
After a visit from one of our families who shared their Hindu celebration of Durga Puja, we thought about diva (diya) lamps that Hindus use to celebrate Diwali. Children looked at lamps and images and some children created their own lamp using clay. 
After the clay was dry, children returned and selected paints they would like to use and painted their sculptures. Most children were able to sustain concentration for the whole process and showed pride in their creations.  

You can buy air-drying clay in The Works: why not try sculpting at home - it is a lovely thing to make for a gift to a loved one.