Just plasticine – a way for creativity development

Paper

Since 1897, when William Harbutt and Franz Kolb invented plasticine we have a flexible material for play and creativity development. Plasticine challenges us with its characteristics and uncounted variants of modelling possibilities. In educational and therapeutic work well organized activities with plasticine helps in the development of fine motor skills and preparation of the hands for writing. Furthermore modelling activities can support language and spatial abilities development, as well as promote intellectual and emotional development. Practical outputs and results of scientific research showed that modelling activities with clay and play-dough have positive effects on relaxation, anger release, imagination, storytelling and metaphor development.
During years 2017-2020 I have prepared a developmental program “Plasticinegraphy for Kids and Adults”. At the presentation I will share the theoretical background of the programme, present the results of empirical proof of the program, as well as demonstrate the examples of practical use of the programme. Because of COVID-19 restrictions the practical part of the programme was realized in on-line form. I will present the experiences from the two weeks “Intensive International Summer Camp Khaptagai” in Yakutia (for teenagers) and three month on-line programme in the frames of “Active Academia 5+ Project” in Poland (for people of different age).