Invitation to Create Clay Snakes

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Working with clay is an excellent way for preschoolers to work on fine motor skills. During Snakes Theme week create an Invitation to Create Clay Snakes!

Play dough is frequently used in early learning programs, and is excellent for fine motor skills. 
Using clay is just as important and a bit different than play dough. 
Manipulating clay requires more dexterity and strength than using play dough. Young children are developing motor skills to prepare for writing. Utilizing both clay & play dough enhance this development in a big way!
For creativity, this medium is a fun way for children to express their creativity. ​

Invitation to Create

Creating Snakes is a wonderful first invitation for creating with clay. Depending on the child's developmental level and experience with clay, they can either simply experiment with texture and patterns or create a full snake. 

There are many tools and accessories that compliment this invitation. 

Suggested accessories:

• Pretend snakes for inspiration, including snakes in a variety of colors, sizes and patterns
• Googly eyes
• Texturing tools
  • sea shells
  • faux leaves
  • mesh bags
  • clay texture tools
  • texture mat
• Book about snakes (one that highlighs patterns/scales) 

Manipulating Clay

Manipulating clay is a fantastic workout for arms and hands, making this a great activity for young children that will soon be learning to write. 

Create a Shape

The shape children choose to create will vary based on their interest as well as skill & developmental level. They may simply pound & squish the dough and form into lumps as they learn how to manipulate the clay, or they may have the skill to roll out a snake. 

Add texture and/or patterns

There are many fun ways to add texture and patterns to clay. Texture mats are a great addition to this invitation! Children can wrap the mats around their shape to imprint the texture onto them. 

Here the kids used a mesh bag to create texture on their snake. 

Sea shells added more unique patterns!

A One of a Kind Creation

The result is a one of a kind snake creation! 
Your preschooler may wish to give their snake a name, this is a great opportunity to discuss how herpetologists use snake patterns to identify their species.  
No matter the resulting shape, the child can give it a name and display with pride.

Preserve the Species

Follow the directions for your particular clay product for preserving. If you need to fire your clay to preserve, consider connecting with a local potter, community college, or art education center. 

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Check out our snake themed math & literacy activities

This Invitation to Create Clay Snake activity is perfect for a theme all about Snakes! Complete your lesson plan with ideas from my Snakes Preschool Lesson Planning Page. 

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