This week in Acorns, we have been exploring clay. Clay is a great open-ended natural material that is perfect for young children; it provides them with endless opportunities and possibilities. By exploring the clay with their hands by twisting, squashing, and squeezing, their ideas can evolve and grow as they begin to see and experience the effects they can have on something. This is also a valuable way for the children to feed their curiosity and expand their interests by experiencing something different and new.
The Acorns took their time exploring the clay, first with their hands and then with tools such as rolling pins, lollypop sticks, and plastic knives. This exploration of clay is a great workout for little hands and helps the children develop their hand muscles, which are highly important for their fine motor skills later on. They were very creative with what they made, from birthday cakes to worms and fish.
