If you've never used a pottery wheel before then here as some basics that may help you and your child along the way. Factors that may determine how well your child can use this educational toy will be their age and ability to concentrate and focus. However, none of these factors should stop your child from having a go. It's such a fun thing for them to do and with a bit of effort and determination they will probably surprise you. If the learning curve appears too steep then pop them on your lap and put your hands over theirs and join in the fun.
The beauty about working with clay is the texture. Although messy, there is something very relaxing and enjoyable when handling it. When your child first starts it will most probably be something very basic, which is the best place to start. Once they have developed sufficient skill they can always move onto more grand designs. Most pottery wheels for kids are quite basic and easy to use as they have been specifically designed for children and the home environment.
So once you are all set up and ready to go get your ball of clay ready. One of the most important skills to learn is to center the clay. Get this right and it will make the whole process much easier. If your clay is not spinning smoothly and wobbling around you will have to take it off and start again. You will know pretty quickly if this is the case.
Place the clay quite firmly in the center of the wheel. Once you think you have it centered wet your hands and those of your child and firmly press your thumbs inwards whilst your hands around the clay. It's a great sensation to feel the clay spinning against your skin.
With your thumbs pressing gently but firmly try to make and opening. If you press down to hard you will go through the bottom of you piece of clay. You can wrap both hands around the ball of clay applying pressure with your thumbs.to widen the opening. To start with just get used to the feel of making an opening and keeping the clay centered. However it turns out doesn't really matter so much as the process you and your child are learning. It should be fun and relaxing.
Gently but firmly pull up the walls. You may get some interesting shaped walls depending on how much pressure your child applies. If the walls are pulled up to high they may collapse.
Once you have the wall the thickness you want - and it's probably best to go for a slightly thicker walled piece to begin with, you can shape it a little more applying pressure to the areas you want to change. Use a wire under the base to remove it and leave it to dry before decorating.
When starting out it's more important for your child to get used to the texture of the clay and how it changes when wet and dry. Although most children will want to come out with something that resembles a pot it may not happen first time. The great thing about working with clay is that you can just start over and over again. This is a fantastic hobby to get your child involved in. They are learning and developing some fundamental skills that will enhance learning later in life whilst having a wonderful time.
The beauty about working with clay is the texture. Although messy, there is something very relaxing and enjoyable when handling it. When your child first starts it will most probably be something very basic, which is the best place to start. Once they have developed sufficient skill they can always move onto more grand designs. Most pottery wheels for kids are quite basic and easy to use as they have been specifically designed for children and the home environment.
So once you are all set up and ready to go get your ball of clay ready. One of the most important skills to learn is to center the clay. Get this right and it will make the whole process much easier. If your clay is not spinning smoothly and wobbling around you will have to take it off and start again. You will know pretty quickly if this is the case.
Place the clay quite firmly in the center of the wheel. Once you think you have it centered wet your hands and those of your child and firmly press your thumbs inwards whilst your hands around the clay. It's a great sensation to feel the clay spinning against your skin.
With your thumbs pressing gently but firmly try to make and opening. If you press down to hard you will go through the bottom of you piece of clay. You can wrap both hands around the ball of clay applying pressure with your thumbs.to widen the opening. To start with just get used to the feel of making an opening and keeping the clay centered. However it turns out doesn't really matter so much as the process you and your child are learning. It should be fun and relaxing.
Gently but firmly pull up the walls. You may get some interesting shaped walls depending on how much pressure your child applies. If the walls are pulled up to high they may collapse.
Once you have the wall the thickness you want - and it's probably best to go for a slightly thicker walled piece to begin with, you can shape it a little more applying pressure to the areas you want to change. Use a wire under the base to remove it and leave it to dry before decorating.
When starting out it's more important for your child to get used to the texture of the clay and how it changes when wet and dry. Although most children will want to come out with something that resembles a pot it may not happen first time. The great thing about working with clay is that you can just start over and over again. This is a fantastic hobby to get your child involved in. They are learning and developing some fundamental skills that will enhance learning later in life whilst having a wonderful time.
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