8/13/2019 Clay Can Be Used Effectively to Enhance Children

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Clay can be used effectively to enhance children's awareness of letters and numbers. The physicalmanipulation of clay into letters is something I have frequently observed children doing spontaneouslyand teachers can actively support this process (image 1). It has been recognised that the threedimensional modelling properties of clay can assist children who experience dyslexia4. Modelling

letters using clay coils, etching words into clay slabs with clay tools (image 2), and writing when fingerpainting with clay (image 3) are learning experiences that teachers can use to enhance children'swritten literacy skills as well as their visual art.

4Dyslexic people do not understand the relationship between letters and words and the sounds thatthey make, consequently reading and writing is often extremely problematic for them. Encouragingchildren to create letters and symbols in clay is a fundamental part of theDavis Dyslexia Correctionprogramme.In this programme children who manipulate clay make significant gains in letter

recognition because the physical manipulation of the clay enables them to create three dimensionalimages of letters and words in their minds. The clay modeling assists with their ability to read withoutconfusion.

Tab 2 of 6ne of the key elements in visual art is form, that is, shape in three dimensions1.In an early childhoodart programme clay is a particularly useful medium for enabling infants, toddlers and young children

to explore this element. Clay invites physical manipulation and even the simplest of physical actions squeezing, patting, poking, or piling it up produces an immediate and satisfying change to its shapeand form.

A tiger made by Cormack (4 years, 6 months)

As young children's skill with clay develops from having regular access to it, increasingly complexexperiments with form take place that can result in the creation of sophisticated and accomplished

clay pieces.

I feel it is important that children have a wide range of visual art opportunities so they can makeconsidered choices about which medium they prefer to use to express and communicate their ideas2.It has been my experience that children who sometimes avoid painting and drawing are drawn to thesculptural possibilities that clay offers. The ability to make something solid and that has a 'back','sides', 'front', 'underneath' or 'inside' seems to motivate children to use this medium3. I have alsonoticed that the technical problem-solving that is required for complex clay pieces providesstimulating creative challenges. As children work to solve technical problems with clay they oftencollaborate, sharing their skills and knowledge with each other. Toddlers particularly enjoy using clayand delight in its sensory and tactile qualities. They seem to greatly enjoy interchanges with adults as

they use it.

Please take a look at our videoPoking, Pushing and Prodding,where Lily is shaping clay on the table.

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Three dimensional forms have width, length and depth and can be viewed from 360 degrees. Twodimensional art objects - such as paintings, prints or photographs only have length and width and arecreated on a flat surface.

2Ministry of Education (1996). Te Whriki: He Whriki Matauranga Mo Nga Mokopuna O AotearoaEarly Childhood Curriculum. Wellington: Learning media.

3Kolbe, U. (2007). Rapunzle's supermarket: All about young children and their art. Australia:Peppinot Press.

http://www.dyslexia.com/program.htmhttp://www.dyslexia.com/program.htmhttp://www.dyslexia.com/program.htmhttp://www.dyslexia.com/program.htmhttp://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/EducateHome/learning/exploringPractice/Literacy/UsingClayToDevelopLearning/PokingPushingAndProdding.aspx?p=2http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/EducateHome/learning/exploringPractice/Literacy/UsingClayToDevelopLearning/PokingPushingAndProdding.aspx?p=2http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/EducateHome/learning/exploringPractice/Literacy/UsingClayToDevelopLearning/PokingPushingAndProdding.aspx?p=2http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/EducateHome/learning/exploringPractice/Literacy/UsingClayToDevelopLearning/PokingPushingAndProdding.aspx?p=2http://www.dyslexia.com/program.htmhttp://www.dyslexia.com/program.htm

8/13/2019 Clay Can Be Used Effectively to Enhance Children

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http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/learning/exploringPractice/Literacy/UsingClayToDevelopLearning.aspx

http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/learning/exploringPractice/Literacy/UsingClayToDevelopLearning.aspx