Clay exploration
How does the constant interaction with the same material brings opportunities for the development of different languages?
General topic of interest
Throughout this research, we gave students various opportunities to interact with clay and observed the development of their interactions, how they became more familiar with it, how they began using natural materials for interventions and the narratives they created for their play.
Participants
Toddlers 2 and Prek3 students, Gabriella Matia, Rafaela Fortunato, Tauana Zanferdini and Marcie Dentelo
Data collecting approach
Children were exposed to clay and carefully observed. They were then invited to add instruments to their exploration and encouraged to keep developing their play.
Data collecting example
This research was based on data collected at different moments in our routine. The data was collected through observation, photos and videos.
Emerging results
Throughout all the moments that were offered, our students showed us how much meaning a simple material as clay can have and how far they can go with their immagination by creating stories and playing individually and in groups.
Reflections
Children get more familiar with materials when frequently exposed to it and by getting more familiar they get more comfortable, immaginative and creative. They narratives became more meaningful and the dexterity with the mateiral became more evident.
Next steps
The next step will be following these students throughout Early Years and be able to compare their ability to use clay with those who wee not exposed so frequently to it.
