Working with clay enables children to improve sensory development, motor skills, self esteem, self expression, problem solving skills and much more. I have made clay masks, tiles and pots over the years and it can always be cross-curricular with other lessons. Such as The Stone age, Aztecs, Day of the Dead. This particular project is about making interesting marks and patterns into clay shape tiles. I always use air-dry clay, it is much simpler than using a kiln. After the children have had a play with the clay I cut some circle and square shape tiles for them to work on. They then us a box full of screws, sticks, batteries, pens, cogs, buttons etc. to make impressions in the clay. After the clay is dry (usually 3/4 days) they paint and glaze.