As children explore and play with kids modeling clay, they discover how to make basic forms, develop hand-brain coordination, agility and fine motor skills. Using modeling clay gives children many opportunities to be creative and can also result in longer attention spans.
As well as being a calming activity for children, playing with products such as Plastercine™ and Playdoh™, helps kids develop social skills as they sit together sharing clay, rollers and other modeling materials. Playing with clay products, pinching it, rolling it and squeezing it into shapes, relaxes young children (and adults!).
Kids Modeling Clay Basics
Teach children to form a basic ball shape, an egg shape, a pancake, a volcano, a snake, a sausage and a ribbon. Once they have mastered these forms and the names for each one, it is easier to instruct them how to make other animals, such as the tide pool animals in the mini-tide pool craft.
The following information is adapted from “Fun With Modeling Clay” by Barbara Reid by Kids Can Press Ltd. which is available from used book sellers and listed below.
Kids Modeling Clay Books and Tools
Modeling Clay Animals: Easy-to-Follow Projects in Simple Steps
by Bernadette Cuxart, shows readers how to make more than 50 different figures using clay and other materials. The book begins with basic tips and instructions and is mainly visual.
Mudworks: Creative Clay, Dough, and Modeling Experiences
Fantasy Characters: Easy-to-Follow Clay-Making Projects in Simple Steps (Modeling Clay Books)
Alex Toys produce a lot of modelling clay products. Check them out here…
Playdoh also makes a lot of modelling clay products and extruders. Check them out by clicking here…