Text of the book “Modeling with children 5-6 years old. Class notes"

About the benefits of visual activity

Important are the provisions outlined in the study by A.Yu. Prishchepka, who believes that during the formation of graphic writing skills, six-year-old first-graders experience significant difficulties in terms of analyzing parts of the whole, comparing them with similar elements, in determining the spatial location of an object relative to its main part, in low mobility of small muscles of the hand.

Conclusions of the study by N.F. Yarisheva on the development of spatial concepts in older preschoolers in the process of learning to draw showed that drawing is an activity in which

during which a child of this age learns to navigate not only in space, but also on the plane of a sheet of paper.

During learning to draw, a combination of image, word and action arises, which forms groups of spatial imagination on the subject plane, the development of which is not ensured by other types of activity. While drawing, preschool children accumulate sensory experience in comparing shapes, lengths, and directions.

The accumulation of such experience is necessary to prepare children for school education.

So, fine art, and in particular modeling in preschool age, is an effective means for preparing the hand of a preschool child for writing, studying the shape of an object, its size, structure, color, purpose.

Modeling technology

By clay sculpting technology we mean children’s mastery of tools and sculpting methods. This concept also covers the development of the eye, hand, and their coordinated work.

The technology is formed by techniques for examining objects (toys) and technical modeling skills.

Examining the image allows children to independently find sculpting techniques. The technology of sculpting, which is preceded by the examination and study of the constructive structure of the images that are being molded, is formed as a system of motor skills built on the acquisition of a number of skills for examining nature.

Research by many scientists (N.S. Vaschulenko, Yes.V. Guryanov, A.Yu. Prishchepa, G.M. Eremenko, G.M. Ryzhenko and others) confirm: six-year-old children often have difficulties in school due to imperfection visual and motor analyzers.

The main reason for their writing deficiencies is the stiffness of their hand, the inability to coordinate the actions of its different parts in the process of drawing a letter. Modeling in preschool age will help correct these defects.

The accuracy of hand movements, associated with the activity of small muscles, is not yet very perfect, so the child’s hand is little adapted to writing and drawing.

Modeling in preschool age - tasks and content

1. Development of emotional perception of objects
2. Knowledge of the properties and visual capabilities of modeling materials
3. Stimulating interest
4. Stimulating manifestations of playful and moral motivation for modeling
5. Development of perceptual actions, tactile sensations, eye, fine muscles of the fingers, aesthetic feelings, figurative memory, imagination for a specific age
6. Cultivating curiosity, concentration, independence, endurance, accuracy

Modeling in preschool age - middle group

In the middle group, kids receive knowledge about the shape, structure of objects based on a geometric basis, about some proportions of the parts of the image and their transfer in modeling.

Particular attention is paid to how children of a certain age use sculpting techniques: flattening, pressing, bending edges, smoothing, pulling small parts, flattening, and the like.

Kids use a constructive modeling method and depict animals (fish, bunny, hedgehog) from a whole piece of clay.

As children of middle preschool age develop the ability to understand the relationship between objects, it becomes possible to introduce elementary plot modeling.

At first, it has the character of a common modeling between the teacher and children of this age, when the adult sculpts the largest and most complex object of the topic, and the children sculpt smaller and simpler ones (“Hen and Chicks”).

Next, children can combine individually sculpted objects (“Bird Yard”) into common thematic compositions. At the end of the year, children can be individually interested in sculpting paired plot compositions based on the fairy tales “Kolobok”, “The Hare and the Hedgehog”.

Modeling classes as part of educational projects

As a rule, modeling classes are widespread in the garden, so they have a planned program and methodology.

Goals of teaching modeling in younger groups

Goals:

• Show your child his capabilities.
• Expand your baby's knowledge.
• Provide motivation for learning.

Modeling broadens your horizons

Methodology

The technique includes:

• The construction of images in your memory by the method of transferring it to the work.
• Development of fine motor skills through play methods, which improves hand mobility and develops speech skills.
• Volume-spatial stimulation using the method of showing figures and their cross-sections.
• Developing perseverance through rewards and praise.

Theme “Beautiful Flowers” ​​for drawing lessons in middle groups

Temporary lesson plan

The teacher spends up to 5 minutes trying to get the child in the right mood and convey the task of the lesson. The teacher explains the image that the children must sculpt. For this purpose, you can use fairy tales, cartoons, books, puzzles or riddles in a form accessible to children. For example, if children must sculpt a sparrow, then sources containing figurative descriptions of the bird are used.

Over the next couple of minutes, the teacher should explain how you can sculpt a bird. The child must understand all the actions that he must take.

About 10-15 minutes are given to the children for the work itself, which ends with a two-three minute logical conclusion.

Attention! The highest quality work should be highlighted and the guys should be singled out. You should not scold those who did not quite succeed in completing the task.

Topics for modeling classes in the first junior group

Modeling in the first junior group includes general educational topics that are understandable to every child. For example, vegetables, sunshine. Until December-January, the simplest elements are used that can be sculpted without difficulty. This:

• peas;
• pies;
• flatbreads;
• eggs;
• gingerbread;
• bones;
• berries;
• famous vegetables.

The process develops enthusiasm

While winter is going on, until February it will be relevant to experiment with the theme of Christmas tree decorations and a snowman. The coming spring makes it possible to sculpt:

• weed;
• twigs;
• buds;
• flowers and berries.

Modeling in the second junior group

The modeling task becomes a little more complicated; children must sculpt more complex objects. You can offer to sculpt vehicles, a new toy, trees and household items. Domestic and wild animals can become heroes. In March-April, you can offer to sculpt a composition on the theme “spring”.

For your information! You should be given the opportunity to freely sculpt, when each child decides independently what exactly he wants to sculpt. For example, boys will enthusiastically sculpt space, and girls will create jewelry or items of clothing.

Story modeling in preschool age

Story modeling opens up great opportunities for a child to act independently, realize personal visual and artistic experience, make their own decisions, talk about their ideas and artistic experience, make their own decisions, talk about their ideas and their implementation.

At the same time, plot modeling helps to improve the quality of the image of individual objects and mastery of specific means of artistic expression in conveying the plot (the interaction of the characters in the composition, their placement on the stand)

During sculpting, the shape is conveyed in two and three dimensions.

Plot modeling in preschool age is carried out with children of older groups, although preparatory work begins in previous groups. We sculpt those objects that exist in the world, as well as certain specific plots.

Subject modeling

This type of modeling is more complex and is used in the preparatory and senior groups of kindergarten. Subject modeling is the sculpting of an entire composition, involving a base with figures located on it. All children in the group often take part in plot modeling - each is responsible for their own area of ​​​​work. Sometimes such group work lasts several days or even weeks. The result is a wonderful piece of work worthy of participation in a city exhibition. In order to engage in plot modeling, a child must be able to think: create a composition, know the proportions of the figures (a fox cannot be smaller than a bun, for example) and be able to arrange them correctly.

Where to start learning sculpting

Studying an object using the hand and gaze with analysis of its parts and comparison of proportions allows the child to break down the complex shape of the object into simple geometric ones, highlight the main part, observing the relationship between the parts of what is depicted.

At the same time, the child’s vocabulary, communication skills, and coherent speech are enriched and developed, because the child names the shape of the object, describes the image, clarifying its features, and evaluates the work of the folk artist.

Making clay products by children in kindergarten and in the family forms imaginative thinking, develops memory, attention, imagination and other mental processes that directly affect the effectiveness of mastering writing skills in school, promotes hand-eye coordination, strengthens the muscles of the hand, and improves spatial orientation. sheet plane.

The use of modeling technology in preschool age contributes to the overall development of the child and prepares him for school.

Modeling in preschool age through research activities

The correct reproduction of what is depicted in clay must be preceded by the child’s research activity. It lies in the fact that the teacher organizes not simple contemplation, but systematic tactile-visual perception, observation and knowledge of the main features of pictorial nature.

Research by O.V. Zaporozhets and E.I. Ignatiev confirms that any activity has preparatory and executive parts. The preparatory part includes teaching children tactile-visual perception of nature during its examination before the sculpting process.

Children are taught ways to examine nature (toys, sculptures, etc.), introduced to the simplest geometric three-dimensional figures (ball, cylinder, cone, triangle, circle, square) during didactic games and exercises: “Find an object similar to this figure.” , “Find an object that looks like a ball, cube, cone...”, “Find it by touch,” “What does this object look like?”

What does the child learn?

A child should be taught to sculpt from plasticine in stages, guided by the child’s age. After all, for a child from the younger group, great progress will be learning to roll balls and sticks from plasticine. At this age, the baby is more interested in the consistency and plasticity of the material; the flow of shapes is interesting, which can be achieved by lightly pressing small fingers or palms.

The baby will be surprised to watch how his fingers plunge into the soft material, how the plasticine tears, he will be amused by the process of creating elementary shapes - a ball, a cylinder! There is no need to achieve more from children of this age. Later it will be possible to show the process of “transforming” a rolled stick into... a wheel, a donut - who will “see” what. The most important thing is to sow interest in working with plasticine and start the creative process.

Children from the middle group are more curious, they are already interested in both shape and volume! They are already fully involved in the process of creation, they are interested in putting together something new from separate familiar parts! The teacher first teaches how to assemble a figure piece by piece, and then teaches how to give the figure meaning and action. To do this, you just need to bend the little man’s arm and leg - so he runs, sits, jumps...

Older preschoolers already know how to think three-dimensionally and figuratively. Therefore, plot-based modeling classes will be just right for their age! Step by step, the child will assemble some of his own compositions from pieces of plasticine, like in a Lego constructor. This activity is extremely exciting and educational. Everything is included: fine motor skills, imagination, memory, creative process, fantasy!

And the best part is that you don’t have to do modeling only in kindergarten! You can please your mom, dad, brother - all your relatives with your plasticine stories, you can even show your little brother or sister a fairy tale! Your own! He will certainly never forget her!

This is how, activity by activity, skill by skill, a child can grow into a real sculptor... in the meantime, help your child feel his strength, discover his talent, receive the support of loved ones and self-confidence and success is guaranteed!

What you need for sculpting

To sculpt an object well, you need to imagine its image. This can be done in detail using the hand, through the touch of which the child studies the spatial characteristics of an object (volume, shape, texture, etc.).

I.M. Sechenov called the hand a “tentacle” and emphasized the importance of palpating movements of the hands and eyes in sensory cognition.

The hands determine the shape of objects differently than the eyes, more completely.

With them, the child feels the object from all sides, and in this definition, a big role is played by the change in the shape of the surface of the palm, which makes it possible to feel corners, bulges, depressions, and the like. The eyes learn three-dimensional vision with the help of the hand (I.M. Sechenov).

So, before sculpting a nature, children must learn its structural structure and break it down into separate parts, determining the shape and volume of each using tactile and visual perception.

What do children like to sculpt?

In addition to environmental objects, children enjoy making fruits, dishes, generalized folk toys, animal sculptures, etc.

The nature that is examined and used in a sculpting lesson must be expressive and reflect the individual characteristics of the animal’s appearance (shape of the body, head, paws, texture) with characteristic features (cunning, good-natured, evil). Toys should have an aesthetic appearance and different spatial positions of posture (standing, lying, running, sitting, sneaking, sleeping).

Getting acquainted with the sculpture of small forms, children will learn by what means the sculptor conveyed the characteristic individual external features, habits, and poses of the animal.

Modeling methods

In kindergarten, three methods of modeling are used to create products from clay or plasticine: constructive, sculptural, and combined.

Constructive way

A constructive method of modeling - the object is made from separate parts. Children make each part of the product from separate pieces of clay and then fasten them together. The product begins to be made from the largest part (animals - from the body), and then they move on to making the smaller ones (neck, head, legs, tail, etc.).

When individual parts for a product have been prepared, they are combined into one whole, compared in size and shape, their spatial arrangement is clarified, they are tightly connected and stuck to each other, and the shape is generalized.

Sculptural method

The sculptural method of modeling is that the product is made from one whole lump of clay, using techniques such as stretching to lengthen the shape (neck), pulling, pinching, cutting with a stack, smoothing with fingers.

This method of modeling is the most complex and requires children of any age to have a clear idea of ​​the shape, proportions, and structural structure of what is being depicted.

Combined method

The combined method of modeling (from a whole piece and separate parts) combines the techniques of the sculptural method, which is used to make the main parts of the object, with the addition of separately sculpted parts.

For example, the body and paws of an animal are sculpted from a whole piece of clay, and other parts are molded separately and then attached to the main one.

In addition, pinching and pulling techniques are used. The technique of relief modeling is used to create animal fur, bird feathers, fish scales, and bird wings. For example, they place small pieces of clay on the main form, and use their fingers and a stick to shape them into the desired shape.

Decorative modeling in kindergarten and its connection with folk art

Irina Ivanovskaya

Decorative modeling in kindergarten and its connection with folk art

Decorative modeling in a preschool institution is the creation by children of dishes, decorative plates , and various figurines on the theme of folk toys . In addition, children can make small decorations (beads, brooches for dolls, souvenirs for mothers, grandmothers, sisters. The skills acquired by children in the process of decorative are used by them when creating other types of stucco work, which makes the products more expressive in design and purpose registration

The expressiveness of children's modeling depends not only on how much the child was able to convey the shape and proportions of the toy, but also on how he was able to decorate his work or sculpt the corresponding design elements of the figurine.

classes are related to drawing . The relief pattern is first applied to paper as a preliminary sketch, then the sketch is transferred to the plate. decorative plates are made . The sculpted figures are painted. Here again the knowledge gained in drawing classes is used.

To successfully master the skills of decorative modeling, the teacher uses objects of decorative and applied art and, in particular, artistic products of folk craftsmen . And the sooner they begin to introduce children to folk art , the more freely they will be able to use elements of decorative design in their works.

Children are captivated by the simplicity of the form, the content of the toys, the brightness of the design, the feeling of a smooth, pleasant surface for the hand, and sometimes the dynamism that takes place in the Bogorodsk toy.

For children of younger groups, you should have turned wooden toys, fun toys from Bogorodsk craftsmen, and products from Kargopol folk craftsmen . If in an early age group (2-3 years)

children only play with these toys, then already in the younger group
(3-4 years old)
these toys are examined before
modeling . Children of the younger group respond well to the Dymkovo toy, which can be offered for examination at the end of the first - beginning of the second half of the year. Moreover, children are not hampered by the conventional shape and coloring of these toys. They freely identify objects and highlight the elements of painting: stripes, circles, dots and rings. folk art objects makes it possible to set visual tasks for children and trace the influence of folk art on the nature of children's modeling . However, the selection of objects for modeling should take into account the age characteristics of preschoolers.
Starting from the second half of the year, children can be asked to decorate a disc-shaped product with three-dimensional forms - balls and rollers. When completing this task, children make a cake, a pastry for dolls, arranging the elements in a certain rhythm: balls along the edges and in the middle, and rollers in the form of a grid or rays diverging from the center to the edges. Children first create the base and then gradually decorate it. The activity of each child is manifested in the fact that the baby himself chooses the shape and size of the elements and alternates them. The next stage is a more complex task: children are asked to sculpt a cup and apply a pattern on it in a stack along the edge of the cup in one or several rows.

After familiarizing themselves with wooden toys, children sculpt birds, mushrooms, and dolls in a long outfit. They decorate each item, and transfer the ability to work with stacks to the image of such details as the mouth, nose, and eyes of dolls. All this makes children's works more expressive. Thus, a certain sequence is outlined for introducing children of the second younger group to folk toys and introducing decorative elements into modeling . For games and viewing in this group you can use Semyonov nesting dolls, Zagorsk wooden turned toys and wooden toys from Bogorodsk craftsmen, Kargopol toys (horse, goose, duck, dog)

and Dymkovo
(cockerel, hen, large and small dolls)
.
For familiarization before modeling , you can offer wooden turned objects consisting of round and cone-shaped shapes.
For children in the middle group, you should have Semyonov, Filimonov and Kargopol toys, painted birds from Torzhok, and Bogorodsk turned wooden toys. For successful learning of decorative modeling in the middle group, work continues to introduce children to folk art . For this purpose, Semenov nesting dolls, wooden turned Bogorodsk toys, Dymkovo cockerels and goats, Kargopol toys, painted birds from Torzhok, and Filimonov toys are used.

However, for reproduction in modeling , it is better for children to offer Semyonov nesting dolls, turned wooden toys, Kargopol toys (dog, goose)

and toys from Torzhok. It is advisable to use the remaining toys for playing and viewing.

Children aged 4-5 years are introduced to objects of folk art in the form of games and short conversations. It is important for children to understand that folk toys made from any material are almost always brightly painted and that is why they are cheerful and joyful. The child begins to understand that in one case the pattern is placed on a three-dimensional form, in another - on an object brightly painted in one color, and this is also very beautiful. You can sculpt a goat or a cockerel with children of this age, both from imagination and from life, using a Dymkovo toy. To do this, at the beginning of the lesson, the toy is examined, paying attention to its plastic and other expressive features. Next, the teacher shows some modeling . The main parts of the toy are sculpted in advance, and the teacher only shows how they need to be connected, tightly adhered to each other.

Children must sculpt all the small details: the horns and beard of a goat, the comb and wings of a cockerel themselves; you can once again examine the toy standing on the stand. The opportunity to approach an object during class and examine it relieves children of stress during work. In addition, the child has a desire to make the toy as beautiful as the craftswoman did.

The sculpted works are carefully preserved, children examine them repeatedly and, after they have dried, fire them in a muffle furnace.

In the evening, in the presence of the children, the teacher paints the toys. from children's works, which decorates the group for several days, and then children can play with these figures.

For children of senior and preparatory school groups, any folk toy , clay or wooden, is available.

To work with children, you can use artistically made dishes, decorative plates , Dymkovo, Kargopol, Filimonov and Kalinin clay toys.

In addition to clay ones, you can conduct classes with wooden toys. However, children should be introduced to at least two toys of each type.

All objects of folk applied art are based on certain traditions and features that it is advisable for the teacher to know. So, when planning to introduce children to decorative dishes , and then sculpt using these samples , you need to select those items that will help develop children’s imagination. These can be painted ceramic plates, Ukrainian bowls, dishes produced by Gzhel

And. etc.

Folk toys, with their rich themes, influence the child’s intentions during modeling and enrich their understanding of the world around them. In addition, children’s capabilities in plot modeling .

Under the influence of folk art , children perceive more deeply and with great interest illustrations to Russian folk tales by artists such as I. Bilibin and Yu Vasnetsov, work is based on national traditions.

Activities using folk art help develop children's mental activity. However, this is only possible if there is a systematic, systematic introduction of children to objects of folk art , as a result of which children create their own decorative works : toys, dishes. Plates decorated with tile-type ornaments.

By doing decorative modeling , children begin to understand the combination of decorative elements in a pattern and their arrangement on the surface of objects.

We see various ornaments in the products of folk And all of them are specific to each industry. Thus, the ornament of the Dymkovo toy has more geometric elements, while the Gzhel ornament has more floral elements.

The child acquires Decorative art always bears the imprint of convention in the rendering of form and color. In the execution of pattern elements. In turn, this cannot but affect the mental activity of children. As a result of systematic work, the child acquires skills not only in conventionally solving a form, but also in its ornamental design, for example, sculpting a salt shaker in the shape of a flower, decorating the wings of a fairy-tale bird, or depicting a lamb with curls in the form of relief. Moreover, each child approaches this differently. One makes a curl from small curls of clay or plasticine, and the other rhythmically places small disks on the form, etc.

The child’s mental activity is also manifested in the way he depicts the proportions of the toy. At the same time, the child draws quite logical conclusions, which subsequently lead to the necessary practical actions. So, having determined that one arm is longer than the other, he shortens it, removing excess clay, and vice versa, if the arm is short, he adds clay, increasing the shape. Sometimes a child does not like the figurine he has made, he breaks it and makes it again, instead of correcting the mistake. Such children need the help of a teacher; he must teach the child to think about ways of depiction.

It is also very difficult for a preschooler to process the surface of an object, namely decorating the form with decorative elements . Designing work using the imprint method requires children to perform a number of operations: selecting decorative forms , finding a way to depict decorative forms and arranging them in a certain rhythm on the surface of the object.

The folk toy opens up great opportunities for teaching children composition. The ability to create a composition of 2-3 figures is very difficult and is only accessible to children of older preschool age. The child needs to be taught to understand the connection between objects and place them on a stand. When creating a composition of several figures, he mentally thinks about its content, about the means that should help expressively arrange objects in relation to each other.

No less difficult is the ability to rationally plan your work. To do this, the child needs to imagine the entire scope of work as a whole, firmly know what exactly he wants to depict, highlight the individual stages of creating a toy - distribute the clay for sculpting the main forms depending on the number of parts, think about the method of sculpting .

Planning work can only be carried out if children have been taught this from the younger group. At first, they completed the stages of work under the guidance of a teacher, and in the older group, children can already work independently, starting to create an image from the main part of the sculpt , i.e. from the general to the specific. In addition, the older preschooler independently organizes his workplace, lays out the necessary items: a stack, a piece of clay or plasticine, a board for rolling out a lump of clay or plasticine with sweeping movements, rags.

Almost all folk toys are monotonous in the way they are depicted. This must be taken into account when working with children. Thus, goats, horses, rams, deer and bears are depicted in one way: the body and legs are made from one piece. Birds are also depicted in the same way. modeling techniques are shown only when children are the first to sculpt an object. Suppose the method of depiction was shown during sculpting of a goat , then when depicting a horse and other animals it should not be shown. However, you should talk to your children about the method they will use while working.

The use of folk toys in the sculpting process can lead to the same type of work not only in the method of representation, but also in form. Therefore, toys should be selected in such a way that each character is presented in different versions. This will provide an opportunity to show children the variety of shapes, proportions, paintings and ways of depicting toys.

modeling classes, children receive a certain physical activity, which takes place both during the preparation of materials for the lesson and in the process of working with clay or plasticine. Before modeling clay (plasticine)

you need to prepare: knead, create a certain shape, work on surface treatment. In addition, you need to tidy up your workspace.

The desire of children to create a beautiful object and decorate it largely depends on the teacher’s interest in the children’s work. The teacher should carefully examine the child’s work, show it to other children, and then invite the child to tell how he managed to make the toy so beautifully. Consequently, all the actions of the teacher should be aimed at teaching the child how to depict objects and leading him to the desire to make his work as interesting and beautiful as possible, and to make it clear to him that this is the kind of work that is expected of him. The teacher needs to know folk crafts , the history of their origin, but first of all, he must understand and love folk arts and crafts , know what folk craft this or that toy belongs to, be able to tell about the craftsmen who create these toys, tell in a way that will interest children so that they want to try making a toy themselves.

Toys of all folk crafts differ in style and manner of execution, and over time, the child begins to distinguish a toy from one craft from another, to highlight its characteristic features, and he does this independently. And already at the older preschool age, from 5 to 7 years, children, under the influence of learning, have a desire to make toys themselves, modeled after those. Which the teachers showed them earlier. Thus, folk toys stimulate children to act independently. The knowledge gained in the process of studying and playing with objects of folk art expands the possibilities of independent activity in the field of decorative modeling .

Therefore, in their free time, children enjoy making various treats for dolls for their games. All treats require beautiful decoration and the child can do what he has planned in a calm atmosphere, without rushing. Children also make dishes for setting the table for dolls, and decorative plates to decorate the walls in the room. This develops initiative, they have a desire to bring an item of their own making into the game or into everyday life, to bring joy to the people around them. It’s good if children have a desire to make beautiful objects for their home. Parents may well provide their children with the opportunity to engage in decorative modeling at home .

Modeling techniques

Basic sculpting techniques related to the work of the hand, in particular the fingers and palm. Depending on the shape of the object, the actions of the hands during sculpting are different. Therefore, it is very important to teach children basic techniques for working with clay and plasticine.

During sculpting, the following techniques are used:

• rolling out roller-like shapes to make elongated, round, cylindrical objects, fastening roller-like shapes in the form of a ring;
• rolling into a spherical shape to make spherical objects;
• flattening into a spherical shape;
• molding a flattened shape; folding the edges of a flattened shape;
• spherical indentations;
• roller-shaped indentations;
• sharpening and rounding of a roller-like shape;
• pulling clay from the main piece; sticking one piece to another; pulling parts;
• smearing parts to each other, pinching the edges of the mold or finishing it by pinching it (loaf, pie).

Rolling is carried out by longitudinal movements of the hands in the opposite direction: right - forward, left - back and vice versa.

Rolling is simultaneous circular movements of the hands: the right one - to the right, clockwise, the left - to the left, counterclockwise.

The fingers of both hands are bent in a cup shape.

During squeezing and flattening, the hands move towards each other while simultaneously pressing on the material.

To compress the clay you need to press it less, to flatten it - harder.

To obtain a more precise shape, you can resort to flattening or flattening the clay or plasticine onto the surface of the board.

The technique of pinching is close to pulling.

Press with three fingers of the right hand. Using three fingers of the right hand, they squeeze the clay to get the beak of a bird or the face of a fox.

During pulling, a piece of clay is held in the left hand, and a piece is pulled with the right.

Traction is performed by moving both arms (simultaneously) in opposite directions to obtain an elongated shape.

To apply one piece of clay to another, you first need to press them and align the joint with your finger. Smoothing the entire surface of the product is done with your fingers, palm, wetting your fingers with a wet rubber band.

The parts are connected in this way: a hole is made on one piece of clay, a hole is pinched on the second to form, for example, a bird’s beak, which is inserted into the hole, then the pieces of clay are connected and the joint is leveled with a finger.

Theoretical foundations of sculpting

Unfortunately, without the theoretical foundations of sculpting, you can’t do it. It is highly advisable to first learn the best way to work with polymer clay so that there is less frustration in the end.

Basic sculpting techniques

There are few key sculpting techniques, only 5 of them (from simple to complex):

1. Pinch off
   a small piece with your thumb and index finger;
2. Kneading
   the clay with your fingers (by the way, this is a very important point, because the clay must be thoroughly kneaded before work);
3. Rolling
   clay in a circular motion to create a ball shape;
4. Smoothing
   polymer clay to give the product round shapes;
5. Combining
   different parts into a single sculpture.

These are the basic elements without which no modeling can be done. Naturally, as you gain experience and skill, these elements become more complex, but the basic elements remain unchanged.

Basic elements of polymer clay modeling

When you start a new hobby, there are always a few new terms that will require learning a new language to understand. Polymer clay has a few technical terms, but they are easy to understand since most of them are related to everyday household practice.

Conditioning

The term conditioning refers to the condition of the polymer clay being used in the work. It may be that your clay is a little stiffer and difficult to work with. Or, on the contrary, it is too soft and spreads on your fingers. In the first case, the warmth of our hands or a warm place will help us, and in the second, parchment paper and a little fresh air.

There are detailed reviews on all cases of conditioning polymer clay on the website:

• What to do with soft polymer clay
• How to knead polymer clay

Mixing

Without going into details, you can mix polymer clay. You can mix different colors and clay from different manufacturers. There are also several publications about this on our website:

• Smooth color transition of polymer clay
• About choosing and mixing polymer clay

Baking and post-processing

Polymer clay should be baked in an oven at a temperature between 215°F (102°C) and 325°F (163°C), depending on package instructions.

Although polymer clay is considered non-toxic, it emits fumes, so you need to be aware of this when baking (bake by placing the product in a baking bag or special container).

Baking time depends on the thickness of the product. The thicker the piece, the longer it takes. A good guideline is 20 minutes per ¼-inch thickness or 6mm.

For baking, use a baking sheet, glass or ceramic tile. A piece of baking paper will help prevent shiny spots.

Baked clay is elastic when you take it out of the oven, but hardens as it cools. Handle with care, the clay will be hot!

Restoring polymer clay

Sometimes it happens that polymer clay looks like it cannot be restored. But this is only at first glance. The clay, if not baked, can be restored to a perfectly moldable state. There are simple solutions and no need to throw away the clay.

1. Start by putting crushed clay and some soft clay in a plastic bag for a few days. The plasticizer from the new clay penetrates the old clay and you can then mix them together or run them through a pasta machine.
2. If you have an old food processor, you can chop the clay into small pieces and place them in the processor for a few short bursts at high speed. The action of the blades and the heat generated soften the clay.
3. If the loose clay is very stubborn, you can add clay softener or some liquid clay. Don't worry about using old clay. If it has been cleaned of dust and dirt, it will come back to life and surprise you with its ability to revive.

Modeling dishes

Children enjoy making dishes (bowls, saucers, plates, pots, cups) and use such products in games.

You can make some molded products using the following methods: tape, selecting the main mass with a stack-spatula from a piece of clay; sculpting with rings.

For example, in order to mold a cup using the tape method, you must first clarify with the children the shape and proportions of the product, determining the sequence of work.

The bottom is molded using flattening technique. The correct shape of the clay circle is checked and leveled with a stack and fingers.

Then the walls of the cup are made, which are sculpted by spraying from a roller, the length of which is equal to the circumference of the bottom.

The prepared roller is placed on the board and rolled out by hand to the desired width, which will be the height of the cup.

The resulting form is attached to the edges of the bottom and covered on the inside and outside. The modeling of the cup is completed by making a handle and smoothing the surface with a finger.

They sculpt the dishes and collect the clay using a stack. Using a spatula, make a depression in the workpiece and select the bulk of the clay. Then the inside of the product is smoothed with a stack-loop.

The modeling is completed by attaching the handle, finishing the outer walls and finishing the dishes. You should choose clay carefully so as not to break the thin walls of the dishes.

Decorative plastic

The small decorative plastic works of folk craftsmen also arouse keen interest among children. Familiarizing older preschoolers with decorative plastic arts gives them the opportunity to sculpt decorative vessels (vases, stands, souvenir plates, decorative jugs, kumanets), wall decorations in the form of decorative plates, flower pots.

Before offering children decorative plates with a relief image for making, it is necessary to organize an exhibition of wall plates with different image contents, and have a conversation with the kids about relief patterns on clay plates as a type of sculpture.

Relief is one of the incomplete types of sculpture, in which the entire image takes on a three-dimensional form and partially protrudes above the object plane (plate).

Types of relief - bas-relief and high relief.

Clay modeling technology

To make a clay plate, you need a board, which is covered with paper so that the clay does not stick. A piece of clay is placed on a board and pressed with the palm of your hand so as to form a layer 1-1.5 cm thick, and then slap it with your palm once or twice. You also need to flatten the clay so that the air comes out of it.

After this, the edges of the plate are smoothed with a stack, the surface is smoothed with a damp cloth and images are applied to the clay.

According to the drawing, pieces of clay are prepared, given the desired shape, and then the finished forms are applied to the drawing. The edges of the relief are applied to the plate with fingers or a stick.

If, for example, the plate depicts a flower with four petals, then the center blank will be the petals, which we press to the drawing and smear with our fingers.

When the decorative plate has dried, it is removed from the board and painted during hours of independent artistic activity.

It is useful to give children the opportunity to decorate with patterns three-dimensional and flat products sculpted with their own hands. To do this, the teacher needs to select simple pattern elements that are placed in a composition with multiple repetitions.

Having mastered the variations of elements with size, color and composition, children easily use them and create an ornament on their own, alternating elements in shape, color and content. Modeling in preschool age with decoration opens up limitless possibilities for children's decorative creativity.

Basics of polymer clay modeling

Despite the fact that modeling from polymer clay is an entertaining thing, before you start sculpting you need to answer the question, why do I need this? When there is an understanding of why, long-term motivation appears, and the likelihood that a new hobby will not be forgotten after a couple of unsuccessful attempts to create a masterpiece. That is why the first point in the basics of modeling is to look for a motive.

Modeling motives

A novice master can be motivated by only 4 points.

Firstly, for fun

Sometimes you just get bored and suddenly have the desire to create something. Unfortunately, this reason occurs quite often. However, it is worth warning that modeling is a type of creativity in which you will have to seriously invest your time and work, and with a thorough approach, also money.

Secondly, in order to earn money

Also a fairly common reason to start. many people want to sculpt for their own pleasure, and even get paid for it. But again a warning! In order to start making money from sculpting, all-consuming work is required, and the profit is sometimes much less than in alternative lines of business. And it will probably take months or even a year before polymer clay modeling starts to pay off or make a profit.

The third motive is the desire to save money

In this case, the main idea lies in the phrase: “If you want to do something well, do it yourself!” It’s also a so-so motivator, because behind every original creation made from polymer clay lies years of experience and a huge amount of money for the material (spent on learning).

Fourth, the need for a new hobby

The desire to do something unknown and interesting, of course, is commendable, but... If this desire is due to necessity or boredom (then, see point No. 1). But if this desire is due to the fact that the topic is really interesting and the novice master is soberly aware of all the hardships and hardships associated with new hobbies, then continue reading. Otherwise, it’s a pointless exercise.

Once the motives have been sorted out, it’s time to move on to more specific things and form the awareness in my head that I can mold from this very clay?

What to sculpt from polymer clay?

There are a huge number of works that a master can create using polymer clay, and they are limited only by his own imagination. However, here are a few main directions:

1. You can make jewelry from polymer
2. polymer is suitable for creating sculptures
3. polymer clay may well become a material for decoration
4. I make many flowers from polymer

Watch a short video about what can be made from polymer clay

Polymer clay can be used to cover anything that does not burn during firing, such as wood, frames, handles and mirrors. To create something bright, you can choose polymer clay of an interesting shade, or paint it with powders, inks, and paints. After baking, polymer clay can be sanded, varnished, polished or painted.

However, here are just the basics of sculpting, and we will not go into details. More details about what can be molded from polymer clay are written in a separate article, read it, it will be interesting.

Decorative modeling in cognitive development

Decorative modeling and decoration contributes to the aesthetic and cognitive development of children, attracts them to actively perceive the works of folk craftsmen.

Decorative modeling in preschool age should be made from clay, because this plastic material can be painted with engobe and burned in an oven. If there is no engobe, then after firing the product can be painted with gouache.

Engobe is a colored clay that is used in art ceramics technology. Engobes are made from clay and water.

Engobe clay can be white, red, yellow, blue, green, brown and black.

White engobe is made from white clay, brought to the consistency of sour cream. To obtain lighter tones, chalk is added. Blue, green, brown, black engobe colors are obtained by adding special dyes to white.

Red color is made from natural clay - red, and yellow - from natural yellow clay.

Engobe is applied to the dried clay surface of the product with a brush by dipping. This is done several times until the engobe covers the entire rough surface of the product.

Before applying the engobe, the product must be dried. High humidity leads to deterioration of products.

Applying engobe to dry and semi-dry wall surfaces may cause it to bounce off during drying and firing.

Engobe that is too diluted with water is applied in a layer that is too thin and does not give the desired color, while a very thick one covers the surface unevenly.

Dried products are painted with gouache, and dried products with engobe. First, paint the top part of the product, and then the bottom. When the first layer of paint has dried, apply the next one.

Decorative modeling in kindergarten and its connection with folk art

Detsky sad.Ru >> Electronic library >> Family and children >> Children's creativity >> N. B. Khalezova.
“Folk sculpture and decorative modeling in kindergarten” A manual for educators.— M.: Prosveshchenie, 1984 OCR Detskiysad.Ru Decorative modeling in a preschool institution is the creation by children of dishes, decorative plates, and various figures on the theme of folk toys.
In addition, children can make small decorations (beads, brooches for dolls), souvenirs for mothers, grandmothers, sisters for their birthdays, for the holiday of March 8th. The skills acquired by children in the process of decorative modeling are used by them when creating other types of stucco work, making the products more expressive both in design and design. The expressiveness of children's modeling depends not only on how much the child was able to convey the shape and proportions of the toy, but also on how he was able to decorate his work or sculpt the corresponding design elements of the figurine. Decorative modeling classes are related to drawing. The relief pattern is first applied to paper as a preliminary sketch, then the sketch is transferred to the plate. This is how decorative plates are made. The sculpted figures are painted. Here again the knowledge gained in drawing classes is used. To successfully master the skills of decorative modeling, the teacher uses objects of decorative and applied art and, in particular, artistic products of folk craftsmen. And the sooner children are introduced to folk art, the more freely they will be able to use elements of decorative design in their works. Children are captivated by the simplicity of the form, the contents of the toys, the brightness of the design, the feeling of a smooth surface that is pleasant to the hand, and sometimes the dynamism that takes place in the Bogorodsk toy (blacksmith bears alternately hitting an anvil with a hammer, pecking chickens, a cheerful woodpecker and other toys) . All objects of decorative and applied art are stored in the cabinets of the teacher's office. They are distributed among trades and are replenished with new items from time to time. Depending on the educational and educational objectives, the teacher selects toys for his group and uses them for conversations, modeling activities and decorating the groups. For children of younger groups, you need to have turned wooden toys, fun toys from Bogorodsk craftsmen, and products from Kargopol folk craftsmen. If in the first junior group children play with toys, then in the second junior group these toys can be examined before modeling classes. For the middle group you need to have Semyonov, Filimonov and Kargopol toys, painted birds from Torzhok, Bogorodsk turned wooden toys. For children of the senior and preparatory school groups, any folk toy, clay or wooden, is available. Folk toys, with their rich themes, influence the child’s intentions during modeling and enrich their understanding of the world around them. In addition, children’s capabilities in plot modeling are expanded. Under the influence of floating art objects, the children perceive more deeply and with great interest illustrations to Russian folk tales by artists such as I. Bilibin and Yu. Vasnetsov, whose work is based on national traditions. Activities using folk art items help develop the mental activity of a small child. However, this is only possible if there is a systematic, systematic familiarization of children with objects of folk art, as a result of which children create their own decorative works: toys, dishes, plates decorated with tile-type ornaments. In the younger group, children are introduced to folk art objects, but there is still little direct connection with modeling classes. Children decorate their products with in-depth relief (a pattern is applied with a stick), then the task becomes more complicated and children are offered high relief (small moldings on the figurine). As a rule, children use this technique to decorate treats for dolls: cookies, pastries, cake. Already this initial activity brings the kids to the understanding that the work done can be decorated, it will become more interesting and beautiful. With age, children's familiarity with folk art expands, and therefore the tasks of decorating objects become more complex. Children begin to sculpt and decorate dishes, dolls, and animals with ornaments similar to folk toys. Gradually, they learn to select and combine decorative elements, create a pattern from them, and place it first on a flat and then on a three-dimensional object. All this, in turn, develops in children the need to create beautiful products and develops their artistic taste. Instilling in children the need to create beautiful things is an important matter. If they are taught this from an early age, then later, as adults, they will always strive for beauty. Currently, much attention is paid to aesthetics in construction, technology and other areas of production. Therefore, future specialists must have artistic taste and a sense of rhythm. The solution to this important problem is facilitated by classes in kindergarten on creating various decorative products based on folk applied art. By doing decorative modeling, children begin to understand the combination of decorative elements in a pattern and their arrangement on the surface of objects. We see various ornaments in the products of folk craftsmen. And all of them are specific to each industry. Thus, in the ornament of Dymkovo toys there are more geometric elements, in the ornament of Gzhel majolica there are more plant elements. In the Uzbek ornament on tiles and dishes we see a combination of geometric and plant elements. If you introduce children to various national ornaments already at preschool age, then children early begin to feel the character and color of the product. A 3-4 year old child quickly learns the rhythmic application of colored spots on paper. It’s easy for him to rhythmically decorate figures sculpted from clay with a stack: mark the arrangement of feathers on the wings of a cockerel. As a result, the toy takes on a more impressive and attractive appearance. Products of folk craftsmen have a positive impact on the compositional structure of plots created by children. Usually, when performing plot work, the child is influenced by illustrations of fairy tales and stories. Thus, children's sculptures do not seem to obey the rules of compositional design of sculpture. However, if children's plot works are compared with what folk craftsmen do, then common features can be noted. First of all, the folk artist in his works reflects the life around him, but does this by logically proportioning the volumes. And if the compositional patterns of monumental or easel sculpture are not always clear to a child, then small folk sculpture is accessible to a preschooler. She gives an example of the elementary rhythmic arrangement of objects. The works of preschool children, made under the influence of thematic folk clay toys, acquire harmony and rhythm. Decorative modeling also has other unique features. The ornament decorating an object can be in relief or counter-relief, that is, in-depth, drawn with a stick or stack on the surface of the product, and sometimes simply applied with a brush, gouache or engobe without creating a relief. These methods can also be shown to children. Engobe painting is an interesting activity for children. Thanks to painting, a clay product comes to life and becomes expressive. Painting with homemade engobe is also good because the resulting items are painted in two colors (one color is the background, the other is the pattern), thanks to which the product looks restrained and strict, without unnecessary variegation. Decorative art always bears the imprint of convention in the rendering of form, color, and in the execution of pattern elements. In turn, this cannot but affect the mental activity of children. As a result of systematic work, the child acquires skills not only in conventionally solving a form, but also in its ornamental design, for example, sculpting a salt shaker in the shape of a flower, decorating the wings of a fairy-tale bird, depicting a lamb with curls in the form of relief or counter-relief. And everyone approaches this differently. One makes a swirl of small rolls of clay, and the other rhythmically places small discs on the mold. The child’s mental activity is also manifested in the way he depicts the proportions of toys. At the same time, the child draws quite logical conclusions, which subsequently lead to the necessary practical actions. Thus, having determined that one arm of the depicted figure is longer than the other, he shortens it, removing excess clay, and vice versa, if the arm is short, he adds clay, increasing the shape. Sometimes a child does not like the figurine he has made, he breaks it and makes it again, instead of correcting the mistake. Such children need the help of a teacher; he must teach the child to think about the way of depiction. It is also very difficult for a preschooler to process the surface of an object, namely decorating the shape with decorative elements. Designing work using the imprint method requires children to perform a number of operations: selecting decorative forms, finding a way to depict decorative forms and arranging them in a certain rhythm on the surface of an object. The creation of a clay product is always associated with the expression of its plastic features. The understanding of plasticity in sculpture by preschool children is very slow. However, already in older groups, children begin to understand the beauty and smoothness of the molded form. As already noted, folk toys open up great opportunities for teaching children composition. The ability to create a composition of 2-3 figures is very difficult and is accessible only to children of older groups. The child needs to be taught to understand the connection between objects and place them on a stand. When creating a composition of several figures, he mentally thinks about its content, about the means that should help expressively arrange objects in relation to each other. No less difficult is the ability to rationally plan your work. To do this, the child needs to imagine the entire volume of work as a whole, firmly know what exactly he wants to depict, highlight the individual stages of creating a toy - distribute the clay for sculpting the main forms depending on the number of parts, think about the method of sculpting. Planning work can only be carried out if children have been taught this starting from the younger group. At first, they completed the stages of work under the guidance of a teacher, and in the older group, children can already work independently, starting to create an image from the main part of the sculpt, i.e. from the general to the specific. In addition, the older preschooler himself organizes his workplace, lays out the necessary items: a stack, a piece of clay, a board for rolling out a lump of clay with sweeping movements, a rag. Folk toys are varied in style. We dwelled on this when characterizing products of various folk crafts. The ability to sculpt toys in different styles is possible only if the child fully understands the differences in the depiction of shapes and decorative ornaments. To do this, you need to more often introduce children to toys from different crafts, with their features, both sculptural and ornamental. The enrichment of children's ideas occurs in different ways, in particular through creative and didactic games. In addition, it is possible to look at illustrations in books and specially selected slides. It is also advisable to take children to arts and crafts exhibitions. Purposeful acquaintance with the products of folk craftsmen should begin much earlier than is done in practice. And the sooner children perceive a folk toy, the more consciously they will begin to use its elements in their visual activities. Under the influence of folk toys, the child’s activity in the field of modeling acquires an active creative character. A child’s creative abilities during decorative modeling can manifest themselves in different directions: in the preliminary creation of sketches on paper for modeling decorative plates, dishes and trays from them; in thinking through the elements of the pattern; in their location on volumes; in creating decorative items to decorate a room; in the ability to find a way to depict and design an object; in transferring decorative modeling skills to the depiction of non-decorative objects and plot modeling. In decorative modeling, working on the form is of great importance. The more often a child observes objects of decorative and applied art, the faster he accumulates experience in solving visual images. Children look at mugs, vases, cups, ladles and folk toys; analyze their shape, proportions, details. Modeling these objects or reproducing them from memory teaches the child to independently create dishes and other products with interesting shapes and decorations. By showing children a toy, the teacher can direct the children’s attention to revealing the image from the point of view of its expressiveness. For example, when offering to sculpt a doll with a rocker - “Water Carrier”, the teacher tells what the figure represents, asks the children if they have seen how they carry water on rockers, then draws their attention to the plasticity of the form, analyzes the details of clothing, the position of hands, buckets, which swinging funny on the rocker arms. Almost all folk toys are monotonous in the way they are depicted. This must be taken into account when working with children. Thus, goats, horses, rams, deer and bears are depicted in one way: the body and legs are made from one piece. Birds are also depicted in the same way. Therefore, modeling techniques are shown only when children sculpt an object for the first time. For example, if the method of depiction was shown during sculpting of a goat, then it should not be shown when depicting a horse and other animals. However, you should talk to your children about the method they will use while working. The use of folk toys in the sculpting process can lead to the same type of work not only in the method of representation, but also in form. Therefore, toys should be selected in such a way that each character is presented in different versions. This will make it possible to show children the variety of shapes, proportions, paintings and ways of depicting toys. It must also be remembered that folk toys are used only in the process of introducing children to the life around them. The development of children's creativity in modeling largely depends on the children's ability to work with clay, paints and appropriate tools. Decorative modeling contributes to the acquisition of these skills, since objects require careful processing of the product, which is achieved with the help of sticks, fingers, a wet cloth, and in some cases the pattern is applied with special seals with sections in the form of a circle, triangle, square. Consequently, working on a molded ornament has a positive effect on the development of the small muscles of the child’s hand, teaches him to work with his fingertips, and makes them more sensitive. During modeling classes, children receive a certain physical activity, which takes place both during the preparation of materials for the lesson and in the process of working with clay. Before sculpting, the clay needs to be prepared: kneaded, sometimes cleaned of impurities - stones and sticks, created from it into a certain shape, and worked on surface treatment. In addition, you need to tidy up the place after sculpting: clean the board and machine from clay, wipe the table with a wet rag. During drawing, applique, design, moments of labor activity also take place, but during modeling classes they acquire a different character in their volume, which is associated primarily with the specifics of materials (clay, dyes), which affect both the work process and the result of the child's activity. Of particular interest to children is the firing of products in a muffle furnace, which is carried out by the teacher in the presence of the children. They see how, after firing, the products turn into ceramics. Children are surprised by the change in color of the product after firing, as well as the fact that the objects become loud, durable and can be played with and used when decorating a room. Thus, the results of the labor expended by the child during modeling can be used by both the child and the adult. Children’s desires to create a beautiful object and decorate it largely depend on the teacher’s interest in the children’s work. The teacher should carefully examine the child’s work, show it to other children, and then invite the child to tell how he managed to make the toy so beautifully. Consequently, all the actions of the teacher should be aimed at teaching the child how to depict objects and leading him to the desire to make his work as interesting and beautiful as possible, and to make it clear to him that this is the kind of work that is expected of him. The teacher needs to know folk crafts, the history of their origin, but first of all, he must understand and love folk arts and crafts, know what folk craft this or that toy belongs to, be able to talk about the craftsmen who make toys, and tell it in a fun way, To interest a small child. continuation …

Teaching sculpting to younger preschoolers

Children of the second junior group are introduced to the properties of clay and consolidate the skills acquired in the first junior group.

They teach such modeling techniques as rolling a lump of clay with straight movements of the hands, rolling out a piece of clay with circular movements of the hands, dividing a lump of clay into two parts, tearing off a large small piece, connecting parts of the product by pressing down, and clarifying the concept of “round”.

Modeling in preschool age is of a simple constructive nature - children sculpt objects and images from individual pieces of clay, connecting them together.

Toys of animals and birds are selected according to their characteristic features; their main parts (torso, head) have the shape of a ball of different sizes. So, children “make” a product from balls and ovals of different sizes.

Modeling: development of plasticity and creativity

Modeling is extremely useful for preschool children. That is why the Federal State Educational Standard includes it in the children's education program. During the classes, the processes of development of fine motor skills are activated, the following develops:

• fantasy;
• figurative and spatial thinking;
• vision;
• visual perception and patience.

Working with plasticine is beneficial

A kid who is used to sculpting is distinguished by perseverance and has an excellent memory. While playing, he understands that if you train your hands, you can do a lot of interesting things with them and achieve a high level of skill.

Advantages of modeling over plasticine and mosaic

Advantages:

• Allows the child to choose materials that will be more convenient for him to work with.
• Develops spatial thinking faster and understands differences in shape and size.
• Can learn from simple to complex tasks.
• All kids enjoy the process, almost without exception.

Types of modeling for younger preschoolers

The lesson can be based on mastering subject, plot or decorative modeling.

Children begin with object modeling. It includes the creation of certain items. An object can be either animate or inanimate. It could be a pet, a bird or an airplane. It will be easiest to start with the lightest images possible. So children can begin to sculpt fruits or vegetables, and when they reach a certain level of skill, they will be able to make toys or objects of increased complexity.

The plot version of modeling is offered to a child who is already good with his hands and easily sculpts objects. The plot can have one or more figures and carries some kind of intention. For example, a winter plot can combine a snowman, a snowflake and a bunny. Thinking through his plan, the baby fantasizes, learns to think figuratively, and develops spatial thinking.

The process develops creatively

Decorative modeling has a more professional focus. The baby learns to pay attention to details and think through them in more detail. This could be dishes, Christmas tree decorations or other children's attributes. In addition to the standard benefits inherent in modeling, the student learns to analyze details and develops strategic thinking.

There is also a distribution of miniatures according to the idea. A child can sculpt according to a preliminary plan, he can copy an image or sculpt it “live”, he can fantasize in the process.

Children can sculpt individually, or they can do this in groups, break into pairs, or sit at a common table. The final option depends on the situation and the desired result.

For your information! Often, educators use a generalized version that allows them to alternate modeling with other activities, which has a positive effect on children.

Materials used in modeling classes in younger groups

It is generally accepted that children make figures from plasticine, but this is not entirely true. Modeling in the younger group includes a wide range of materials used. This has a positive effect on the baby’s motor skills, introduces them to different textures and adds variety to the lesson.

Drawing lessons in the second junior group on the theme “The sun is shining”

Types of materials:

• Plasticine. Plasticine figures are perfectly sculpted, since plasticine was invented specifically for such purposes. Modeling from plasticine does not require much effort; the child works quietly without interference. The plasticine mass does not have the property of being very sticky. After work, it is enough for the child to wash and dry his hands. Modern stationery stores have a huge assortment to suit every color, taste and budget.
• Dough. The dough has a soft shape and delicate texture. The child will be interested in making miniatures out of it. The dough should be salty. It can be prepared independently, so you can be sure that there are no chemicals in the preparation.
• The clay mass gives children the feeling of a real profession and brings more pleasure. Given to the child at least a year after mastering basic modeling skills. Pleasant to the touch, it does not contain chemical additives. Children like its naturalness.
• Modeling masses. Specialized stores have a large number of modeling materials. Easy to use, convenient, but you should choose carefully. The composition may contain a large number of chemicals. The choice should remain with a reliable, proven manufacturer.

Materials are varied

Technical varieties of modeling from plasticine

• Design. This technique is used at the very beginning of mastering sculpting. The child can roll up different pieces separately and use them as construction elements. For example, the base of an airplane is made from one piece of plasticine, the wings from another. Having sculpted the necessary components, the child combines them into a composition.
• Sculptural. Requires fashioning a product from one piece of material. To fashion a tumbler, a child must gradually fashion the body and arms, without resorting to additional pieces. The child can roll out or knead the mass at his own discretion until he achieves the desired result.
• Combined. It is a symbiosis of previous methods. The child sculpts the base using the sculptural method, and can add small details like a construction set.
• Plasticineography. Another type of modeling, devoid of volume. The child takes a sheet of cardboard or other material as a basis and sculpts it on it. The result is a picture. To make the design more colorful, other decorative elements may be present.
• Modeling with forms. In this style of sculpting, a shape is taken as a basis, which is then designed with sculpted elements.
• Modular. It is based on similar elements that the child sculpts before applying it to the surface.