Clay Modeling and Sculpture for ADHD
Clay has been widely researched in the Art Therapy and psychology and is found to help unlock and express emotions, increase endorphins, foster relaxation, and activate more areas of the brain. In one study, it was found to be particularly beneficial to students with ADHD. Because those who have ADHD are constantly seeking stimulus, clay is an excellent medium to engage with. Activating all the senses, the immediate and continuous result that one gets from working with clay as they create is deeply satisfying and helps to build focus and concentration. This is probably true for everyone—not just those who have ADHD!
Tips for Teaching with Clay
- Establish expectations of conduct in advance (no throwing clay, appropriate
- Prepare the workspace: put away other belongings and valuables, cover tables with paper, cardboard or cloth, have small containers for water and tools available for working with the clay
- If there's no kiln to fire regular clay, you can use an air-dry clay or a polymer oven-bake clay such as Sculpey
- When doing a multi-step project, have different stages pre-made, so students can reference them
- Show a wide variety of visual examples, that demonstrate a range of ability
that there is no such thing as 'wrong' expression.
Project Ideas
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Clay Sculpture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocAc--CQdPw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfiJA7lKtXQ (The above link is for air dry clay or polymer clay) |
Useful Links
Teaching Clay Without a Kiln: An Art Teacher's Resource
Lakeside Pottery: Handbuilding Clay Projects
How to Work with Air-Dry Clay
Beginners Guide to Sculpting Clay
The Basics of Clay (Opus Art Supplies)
Sources & Supporting Research
Therapeutic Qualities of Clay-work in Art Therapy and Psychotherapy: A Review
by Michal Sholt, and Tami Gavron, Haifa, Israel (Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association)
Therapeutic Effects of Moulding Clay (video by CityArtsNotts, funded by the University of Nottingham)
