I would love to provide my kindergarten students with air-dry clay and various art related materials that support creativity, fine motor development, and sensory learning. These hands on experiences allow our young learners to create, sculpt and explore 3D art while building foundational skills. The materials will be integrated across subjects that support literacy, math, science and social emotional development. 

As a kindergarten teacher, my role is to lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Our young learners need access to developmentally appropriate and hands on learning tools to help foster a child's academic and emotional growth. Many students enter school with underdeveloped fine motor skills and limited experience with creative materials. Research from the National Institute for Early Education Research shows that young children benefit most from tactile, play based learning experiences that support motor development and self expression. Unfortunately, access to these materials are limited due to the prioritization of testing readiness or shrinking budgets. While crayons and paper are given and available, air dry clay and modeling tools are not funded through classroom supplies. This project will bring high quality art materials into the classroom to this year's group of 20-25 kindergarten students and many more in the future. Students will be given meaningful art experiences that support both academic success and social/emotional well being. 

Art therapy research shows that tactile and creative activities working with clay help children process emotions, reduce anxiety and build emotional vocabulary (Malchiodi, 2012). To address the lack of hands on and process based art experiences in my classroom, I will implement a weekly art activity using the air dry clay and related materials. To measure my goal, at least 90% of students will participate in their clay art during whole group or center time. Storage systems for the clay will be put into place and students will have access to materials. The art projects will be incorporated into literacy, math and science to align with our curriculum. This project will give students an opportunity to showcase their creative side and build confidence. The activities are endless with this project! Just to name a few, I plan to implement activities such as character creations after reading a story, alphabet structures, all about me sculptures, art reflection journals and clay counters for math. Activities will be done during whole group instruction, independent work, center time during literacy/math stations. Integrating clay supports a whole-child approach that ensures all 25 students have meaningful and engaging opportunities to grow academically and artistically.