Thirty years in the Montessori classroom has shown me how important this medium is to the child's physical development, and to their budding creativity. It's great for fine motor practice--call it 3-D scribbling. Children love the gorgeous colors and are astonished by the things they can create. We start with ball rolling and pinch pots with the very young--then coils and coil pots. These girls are doing some advanced techniques with Sculpey.
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” Rachel Carson
All adults should remember these words. Parents should share basic living skills--just how to do each little thing such as self care, independence skills. Artists can mentor children. Anyone with a skill to share out there? Share it with a child. They need us more than ever.
