Growth and Learning Through Manipulation of Art Materials

June 24, 2007

Growth and Learning through Manipulative Art Materials
(doughs, clays and squeezables)

Emotional Development
Feelings of success and competency
Sense of control
Calming and soothing
Stress reducing/ self behavior modifier
Outlet for feelings
Tension reliving
Social Development
Seen in all stages of play:
Solitary
Parallel
Associative
Cooperative
Promotes sharing
Builds social language
Social ‘icebreaker’
Cognitive Development
Cause & effect
Part/whole relationships
Special relationships
Matching/comparing
Language development
Properties
Physical Development
Lg and small muscle develop.
Finger dexterity
Pincher grip (pre-writing)
Eye-hand coordination
Establishment of handedness
Muscle strength
Creative Development
Open-ended
Creative expression/exploration
Mallable/ changeable
Individualism
Development of imagination