Clay Calm Creations
Practice relaxation using clay
In this lesson, students will engage in a hands-on activity using clay to create calming shapes or figures. This experiential learning approach allows students to explore relaxation techniques through tactile engagement, promoting stress and anxiety relief. The lesson is important as it provides students with a creative outlet to express emotions and develop coping strategies for stress management.
Project-Based Learning, Experiential Learning, Restorative Practices
Clay or playdough, and Discussion Questions Attachment
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Briefly introduce the concept of stress and anxiety.
- Explain how creative activities like working with clay can help manage these feelings.
- Set the objective: to create something with clay that makes them feel calm.
Step 2
Clay Activity
15 minutes
- Distribute clay or playdough to each student.
- Encourage students to mold the clay into shapes or figures that they find calming or soothing.
- Walk around to provide support and encouragement, asking open-ended questions about their creations.
Step 3
Discussion
10 minutes
- Gather students in a circle to share their creations.
- Use the Discussion Questions Attachment to guide the conversation.
- Encourage students to reflect on how the activity made them feel and discuss other ways they can use creative activities to manage stress.
- Summarize the key points discussed.
- Reinforce the idea that creative activities can be a useful tool for relaxation.
- Encourage students to try similar activities at home when they feel stressed.
