My nephew is going to first grade this year, and we just started with reading syllables and simple counting problems. But modeling from plasticine didn’t work out for us at all, our fingers don’t obey. Maybe someone can tell me how to make this activity more interesting so that I don’t quit?
My grandson’s fingers also didn’t obey him when sculpting at first. Try starting with soft plasticine or even dough - let him roll sausages and make simple worms or snowmen, it's more fun than figures. Do you help him sculpt together or does he try alone?
My 7 year old grandson's fingers were just as stiff at first. I started with flour dough with salt, we made simple snakes and little men together, without forcing it to sit for long. It went better than plasticine, she laughed and got her hands dirty, and now she is already making more complicated figurines.
My younger brother also had trouble with plasticine, his fingers felt like wood. Instead, we took regular salty dough made from flour and salt, added a little butter to prevent it from sticking, and sculpted cars or just balls, which we then painted with gouache. Have you tried sculpting with him or is he doing it on his own?
Yes, my grandson and I sculpted together from such dough - I showed him how to twist the sausage for the wheels, and then he assembled the cars himself. Salt dough is actually softer than plasticine, it allows your fingers to warm up better. How much oil do you usually add so that it doesn’t stick at all?
Thank you, Sophia, that’s a good idea about the dough, I sometimes do that in class too. At first my grandson only sculpted with me, but now he twists the sausages himself and laughs when they turn out crooked. How old is your grandson, if it’s not a secret?
Good example with the flour and salt dough, Alexandra. My little cousin started the same way, with snakes and little men, and he did much better than with plasticine. Did you let him play freely or did you also give him some more defined shape after he got used to it?
Thank you, Ilya, I’m glad that the dough worked. Last year my daughter also started with sausages under my supervision, and by August she was making figures herself and even salting them. How old is your grandson now? Is he going to school this year or still in kindergarten?
Yes, salt dough is better at first because it doesn't stick to your fingers as much. With my little girl, I started with free snakes and snails, without shapes, so that she could play as she wanted, only after a week I showed her how to make a little man with eyes from seeds. Did you continue with dough at your cousin's or did you switch to plasticine later?
Thank you, Ilya, I’m glad you liked the dough so much. My eldest grandson is just six years old and will go to school this year, so we try to study a little all summer. How old is yours? Are you already in first grade or just getting ready?
Yes, salt dough is really friendlier at first, it doesn't stick and it cleans easily from the table. I stayed with my cousin for about two weeks only with snakes and snails, then I switched to plasticine because he wanted something more colorful. Did you try with softer plasticine after that or did you stay with the salt dough for longer?
Thank you, Nadezhda. My youngest is also six, entering first grade this year. He and I make dough for pies almost every week - it develops our hands and patience at the same time. What else do you and your grandson do besides sculpting?
