“Incorporating sensory art is so important for kids, and I don’t think there’s enough emphasis on that,” says HomeLearners Network (HLN) Guide, Alecyn. “You can learn just about anything through art, and making stuff with your hands is so fun and approachable. Kids need more of it!”

Alecyn has always had a deep passion for making art. While receiving her bachelor’s degree in fine arts, she focused on creating wearable pieces using metals and sculpting. When she followed this with a degree in education, her practicum took place at an Arts Integration school where she learned how art can be a vehicle to learn anything.

She’s also worked as a facilitator at an art studio for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. “It was such an amazing experience,” says Alecyn. “Anyone can use art to express themselves, even if they can’t speak.”

Alecyn adores working with clay to create ceramics, and in addition to leading her exciting HLN activities, she’s opening her own ceramics studio!

We sat down with Alecyn to discuss the top five benefits of working with clay for your kiddos.

 

1. An engaging growth mindset activity

Creating things with clay is all about trying and trying again. Working with clay can be very rewarding but has a few caveats. “Creations might get smushed, cracked, or fall apart during the process. It’s going to happen,” says Alecyn. “But kids are still learning, and if they keep putting in the time, they’ll get better!”

Using clay in their art is also an excellent way for kids to track their progress. “They can look at something they made years ago and something they made today and understand that work equals success,” says Alecyn.

 

2. Improves attention span and focus

Making things using clay requires multiple steps. “It takes time and patience to make things with clay,” says Alecyn. “You can’t do everything all at once, and certain steps require some patience.”

The clay has to be prepared before work can start, and once the clay is ready, shaping and refining it, attaching and gluing pieces, and adding details can take time. When they’re happy with their creation, the clay needs to dry before adding paint.

 

3. Brings their imagination to life

The possibilities are endless, from animals and miniature versions of cars and landscapes to ornaments, jewelry and aliens! Clay’s malleability means that kids have the freedom to create whatever they want, and its forgiving nature means they can experiment without fear of failure.

“Clay is a low-tech way for anybody to create whatever they can dream up,” says Alecyn. “It’s imagination made real.”

The world is full of incredible clay creations; some ceramic inventions are even used in electronics, medicine and machines!

 

4. Encourages sensory development

Playing with clay engages multiple senses. Some examples are feeling texture and weight, seeing colour and shapes, and hearing the sounds clay makes while shaping it.

“Clay helps build the connection between the hands and the brain,” says Alecyn. “The more kids work with clay, the better they get at using their hands to make cool things.”

 

5. Approachable and easy to be successful

Unlike other art forms, clay doesn’t require specialized materials or hard-to-master skills. Even beginners can create exciting pieces without a lot of background.

“The best tools are your hands,” says Alecyn. “That’s what’s really special about clay. Everybody’s hands are different and can make unique pieces.”

If your kiddo makes a mistake or changes their mind about a particular part of their creation, clay allows them to fix and rework their masterpiece. Clay’s accessibility also makes it a great choice for trying different techniques and designs until they’re happy with the result.

 

Air-Dry Clay Creations with Alecyn

If you’re scratching your head for new and exciting ways to engage your kid’s inner artist, check out HomeLearners Network’s Air-Dry Clay Creations with Alecyn!

In this four-part Series, your kids will learn exciting skills and techniques for their clay creations. They’ll discover how to hold and shape their clay, make pinch pots, and add textures and imprints. They’ll also learn about the history of clay and discuss clay pots and ceramics from around the world! In the final session, they’ll use their newfound skills and imagination to create a fantasy creature while learning to use an armature (used to keep your clay from collapsing).

“Everyone will come out with their own unique project,” says Alecyn. “Each week, the kids are so excited to show what they’ve worked on and are so proud of what they’ve created.”

This Series is perfect for kids aged 6 to 12 and starts on June 2. Register today!