Playing and 3D modelling with clay supports all areas of young children development and learning.
Clay and modelling are part of a Froebel's Occupations - creative activities and experiences for young children.
"Through the Occupations, children can:
- represent, be inventive and engage creatively and imaginatively
- build their physical competencies
- make links to everyday life, nature, knowledge and understanding
- be empowered to move from the here and now to the abstract (so laying the foundations of literacy and mathematical understanding)
- develop dispositions and attitudes that will benefit them in the adult world of work."
Prof. Tina Bruce and Jane Dyke, Learning from Froebel (2017)
"Clay is open-ended and natural, making it an ideal material for young children to explore. It's open-ended nature means it can be anything the child wants it to be."
Dr Lucy Parker, Exploring Clay (2019)
A collection of clay related resources and guides for educators:
Creativity in early education
Creativity is about children representing their own ideas in their own way, supported by a nurturing environment and people.
Find out more about Froebelian principles
Exploring clay workshop for educators
Presented & recorded by Froebel trained educators at Guildford Nursery School & Family Centre. Packed with practical advice for educators in early years settings. April 2024
Download a free pamphlet
A Froebel Trust publication which includes practical advice on how to set up a clay area in an early years setting. Free to download. Published in 2019
An article from Nursery World
Developing gross and fine motor skills through clay. An article by Professor Tina Bruce and Jane Dyke. Published by Nursery World. Feb 2017
Putting clay into action
Educators at two nursery schools report on their Froebel Trust funded project 'rediscovering the benefits of clay'. Report shared in Jan 2023
Download a free Occupations poster
First produced by Nursery World magazine, in association with Community Playthings, in 2017. This poster introduces the Froebelian Occupations. Free to download and display.
Play, symbols and creativity
Children's symbolic representation can be observed through a range of media - including clay. A free to download Froebel Trust pamphlet. Published in Sept 2023
Clay provides children with rich opportunities to engage in imaginative play...
Tools are not always necessary when using clay - introducing other natural materials (e.g. sticks, stones or leaves) can extend and support children's creative play.
