Modeling and building with clay is a popular and beneficial learning tool in the early childhood classroom. This plan will detail how to use modeling clay in a very different way. By spreading and mixing colors, young students can create painting like art projects with the depth and texture of a clay medium.
Lesson Objectives When "Painting" With Clay
- Explore clay as an art material. This includes texture, color, and uses.
- Develop fine motor skills.
- Increase aesthetic awareness.
- Increase problem solving skills.
Clay Lesson Target Grade
This project can be used with children who are of preschool age and up. Due to the lessons open ended nature, adaptations can be made to accommodate different age or grade level learners.
Materials
- Modeling clay (choose a variety of colors)
- Very thick paper such as cardboard
Clay Painting Process Steps
- Cut out cardboard rectangles to use as a background/base. Try reusing old cardboard boxes by cutting them into smaller pieces. These can be any size that you would like. For younger children a smaller area works well. Start with a 5 X 7 piece.
- Present the children with a variety of colors of modeling clay. Allow the children to choose which colors they would like to use.
- The children may then begin to smooth the modeling clay onto the cardboard background. For older or more advanced children, ask them to sketch a design or possibly a landscape first.
- Continue to smooth the clay over the cardboard. Additional colors may be blended in at this time. The idea is for the child's fingers to work almost like a paint brush. The clay will begin to become pressed flat against the cardboard surface, and brush stroke like patterns will emerge.
Clay Painting Lesson Wrap Up
Following this activity, ask the class questions about what they have done. As this is likely a new way to use clay, discuss how it felt different. View the outcomes in a show and share. Make sure to discuss what the children see. This discussion should be very open ended and child centered.
Enrichment Activities
This project often results in art work that looks somewhat like the Impressionist style. Show the class reproductions of work by Monet or other Impressionists. These can be found in books, posters, or calendars.
For older children, extend this project into a thematic lesson. Make different clay paintings for the seasons by creating simple landscapes. If possible, take the materials outside and work from nature.
Although painting with clay is not a traditional means to paint, it can be a very different and exciting art exploration for young children. Whether it is an abstract investigation of the materials and process or a more tightly focused subject matter theme, this project can be a great activity to use in the classroom.
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