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The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

Sensory Bubble Clay Experience for all ages…

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I love introducing the sensory experience of clay to younger children and also thinking up ways to make it a more challenging activity.

We did some finger painting on bubble wrap recently and both the toddlers and the preschoolers loved the feel of the bubbles under their fingertips as they squelched through some warm cornflour paint.

I decided to extend upon their interest in the bubble wrap experience and add it to a planned clay activity outside.

And what  a lovely sensory morning it turned out to be!
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
I used some old postal padded bags (the ones with bubble wrap on the inside) and cut them open to make 4 bubble wrap place mats for the clay. They weren’t fancy but they were just a base so no need to make them look pretty!
I then added a few baskets of different textured natural materials…some soft feathers, hard matchsticks, smooth glass pebbles and some smaller pieces of bubble wrap cut from a large sheet I had received with a parcel.
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
The materials and small pots of water I put beside each placemat were explored even before the clay was passed out….
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
I sat down and did a little creating myself (very soothing on a busy morning I must say!) while the girls explored the clay and materials and expressed themselves in the way that they wanted.
The small pieces of bubble wrap were pressed into the clay and smoothed down with water. There was lots of conversation about the bumpy mats and the popping of the bubbles when they tried to smooth the pieces into the clay.
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem

They also discovered that if they peeled back their pieces of bubble wrap after they had pressed them into the clay they could make wonderful circle imprints!I really enjoyed watching them work through the process and express joy with what they were creating….so simple but such important work!

Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem

Smooth gems were pressed into rough pinch pots and larger circle imprints were discovered when lifted out. Combined with the bubble imprints it was a whole new angle to explore!

Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
The creations were varied and such an expression of their own creativity and thought processes at the time.
There was a ‘sparkly pot’, ‘a rocket with wings’, ‘a bus’ and ‘a tree with branches on it’. I could show you my creation but you might fall over laughing…..
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
Such concentration, creativity and problem solving….
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
Tara discovered that when the clay dried it made her skin ‘crinkle’ and feel tight. She enjoyed smoothing it up her arms and then wiping it off with the wet cloth. She was fascinated by how quickly it dried and how it looked on her hands.
I considered asking for a nice clay facial but then thought better of it when I noticed Ruby smoothing it through her hair ‘to make it white’. I don’t need any help there thanks!
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem

Clay is such a wonderful sensory experience for children and although it looks very messy I simply hosed off the table and the kids washed their hands in a bucket of water before we went inside.

Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
By giving the girls a pot of water each they were able to decide how they wanted to use it, when and how much. They all chose to use it in different ways…some poured onto the mats, others dipped fingers tentatively in, others chose to squelch between their hands to soften the clay.
The addition of water to the table also allowed the bubble wrap to be smoothed into the clay and for little fingers to mold and stick materials to their creations.
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
We all enjoyed this simple sensory fun and I was particularly pleased with how the addition of the bubble wrap mats and pieces extended the experience.
Sensory Bubble Clay ...a lovely experience for all ages using recycled and natural materials...Mummy Musings and Mayhem
How do you like to play with clay or bubble wrap?

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What people are saying …

A big shout out to you Jodie!

I purchased all your Educator Resource Packs and they are fantastic! I can already see they are going to be a massive help in all areas. You share so many fantastic resources and ideas. I can hardly wait to get more oranges!
Thanks for all the hard work that obviously went into putting these together.

Renata Plesa Stipanovic

5.0
2018-10-24T11:28:25+10:00

Renata Plesa Stipanovic

I purchased all your Educator Resource Packs and they are fantastic! I can already see they are going to be a massive help in all areas. You share so many fantastic resources and ideas. I can hardly wait to get more oranges! Thanks for all the hard work that obviously went into putting these together.

Thank you!

I've been teaching for over 20 years, with 14 of that time being a 3's teacher. It's hard to find workshops that go beyond basics but you offer basics and MORE and are exetremely helpful and supportive.

Chris Binder

5.0
2018-10-24T11:33:54+10:00

Chris Binder

I've been teaching for over 20 years, with 14 of that time being a 3's teacher. It's hard to find workshops that go beyond basics but you offer basics and MORE and are exetremely helpful and supportive.
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Thanks Jodie for doing what you do.

I love that you are genuine and have a working knowledge of all that you offer to educators. Only educators know what other educators go through and need in terms of support and resources. I appreciate you and the work you do.

Peta Wendt

5.0
2018-10-24T11:51:24+10:00

Peta Wendt

I love that you are genuine and have a working knowledge of all that you offer to educators. Only educators know what other educators go through and need in terms of support and resources. I appreciate you and the work you do.

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Jodie.

I was the winner of the My Play Prompt Planner and I LOVE it! It has given me the confidence to start the new year with a bang, with no stress and to feel confident I am doing the best I can with my programming. Thank you!

Cora Mills

5.0
2018-10-24T11:54:57+10:00

Cora Mills

I was the winner of the My Play Prompt Planner and I LOVE it! It has given me the confidence to start the new year with a bang, with no stress and to feel confident I am doing the best I can with my programming. Thank you!
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What a great resource.

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Katrina Krogh

5.0
2018-10-25T12:24:25+10:00

Katrina Krogh

I got the Organisation Toolkit today, I'm starting my own family day care and no way in hell am I going to be unorganised! Thanks sooooo much for such a great resource.

Well Done!

It's blessing to find such a great range of resources and information that will simplify my job. It's the first time in 21 year I've found this kind of resources that I can reach just pressing a button!

Xiomara Moran

5.0
2018-10-25T12:27:14+10:00

Xiomara Moran

It's blessing to find such a great range of resources and information that will simplify my job. It's the first time in 21 year I've found this kind of resources that I can reach just pressing a button!
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