Clay in the Classroom: Helping Children Develop Cognitive and Affective Skills for Learning Smilansky, Sara

What makes clay an important enough medium to warrant an entire book about its use in the educational setting? Clay in the Classroom helps teachers go beyond understanding clay as only a medium for playtime or special occasions. When used in appropriate and well-planned activities, clay can help young children develop cognitive as well as affective skills. Many teachers are searching for ways to balance the emphasis on computers and technology in the classroom. Here, through an inexpensive medium called clay, is one approach which research indicates can meet the emotional, physical and creative needs of young children, and allow them to become better prepared for the cognitive demands of the educational process.