As we continue our exploration with clay, we also continued making pinch pots. This time with Cairo, Rylee and Cypress. It was interesting to see how each child had a different experience with the clay. Cairo, for example was all in. He was very excited to grab and squish the clay once he first got it. He listened very closely to everything I, (Ms. Julia) said and made his pinch pot with almost little to no help. Once I showed him how to manipulate the clay, it was often followed with a “I got it Julia” showing me that he was ready to do it on his own.
Rylee, like Cairo, was very excited to put her hands on the clay. Rylee pulled apart the clay and separated it into many little pieces. With those little pieces she began to pinch and poke at them. This made it much easier for her to pinch her pot together. Rylee did a great job using the rolling pin but had a little trouble using the mallet. She had to grab the mallet with both hands to be able to smoosh her clay. She seemed to enjoy squishing the sand with her hands. She smiled and laughed as she smooshed the clay with her hands.
Cypress was very excited once she saw the clay but not as excited to touch the clay. When I invited the children to touch the clay, Cypress was a bit hesitant. I had to put the clay in her hand in order for her to manipulate the clay. Did Cypress not want to get messy? Was she afraid it would get stuck on her hands? Once Cypress saw her friends playing with the clay she begin to play in the clay as well.