Patti Petit on fri 7 mar 03
My students range from late teens to 60's. Disabilities include physical
(some severe) and mental most moderately mentally retarded. Others
function quite highly. We have loads of fun, laughing, talking and
encouraging one another. My students are generous in their praise of
each other. They are so free in concept and execution. Since receiving
some of our own tools they have taken great pride in cleaning up,
besides washing their hands. Most of my students have severe tactile
defenses so getting into clay is a major step. I find they love to build
but get very tired on days when we glaze. For non-food work I have
begun using acrylic paints which are "weatherproof." That way they can
take their work home quicker.
Some of my students have sold pieces of their work, a source of pride
and joy for all of us.
When we finish class, if it's been a really good one, we clap for
ourselves just a dancers do at the end of a studio class.
Patti in rainy NE Georgia Gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains
Marry Lukeman on sat 8 mar 03
> Hi Patti
How many students do you have in each group? Do you have any volunteer helpers? Do they come to your studio or do they have a facility where they are?
I am just beginning to work with mentally and physically challenges children. some are both, some very limited in their physical movements - some are very hyper. So far I have had 6 1hour sessions with them.
Next week I have 4 classes coming up four days running, I may or may not see them again. I take the clay and tools etc, to their facility.
Am looking for ideas to develop a program that can be used in their facility, as ours guild's is too busy for them to use.
It sounds like you have a great one. I would appreciate anything you can tell me that will help.
I have not introduced glazing but let them use poster paint and cover it with liquid floor wax. They seem to prefer making sculptural pieces rather than bowls etc..
Thanks for the insight as to how far they can progress if there is regular clay contact.
Marry Lukeman
London Ontario Canada
> From: Patti Petit
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 00:57:43 -0500
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Teaching Mentally Challenged
>
> My students range from late teens to 60's. Disabilities include physical
> (some severe) and mental most moderately mentally retarded. Others
> function quite highly. We have loads of fun, laughing, talking and
> encouraging one another. My students are generous in their praise of
> each other. They are so free in concept and execution. Since receiving
> some of our own tools they have taken great pride in cleaning up,
> besides washing their hands. Most of my students have severe tactile
> defenses so getting into clay is a major step. I find they love to build
> but get very tired on days when we glaze. For non-food work I have
> begun using acrylic paints which are "weatherproof." That way they can
> take their work home quicker.
> Some of my students have sold pieces of their work, a source of pride
> and joy for all of us.
> When we finish class, if it's been a really good one, we clap for
> ourselves just a dancers do at the end of a studio class.
> Patti in rainy NE Georgia Gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains
>
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