WELCOME TO MY SITE…
I am very pleased and excited to introduce myself and my unique approach to help children with Special Needs to relate to the world and others through the forming of clay on the Potter's Wheel.I have been a Potter for over 20 years, both as a maker and as an experienced teacher. For the past four years I have been specialising in working and researching clay work with severely disabled children and those with Special Needs. I have worked and undertaken extensive research in schools and centres in London, France and more recently Australia.
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The experience of a session
I sit at my wheel and demonstrate throwing. Pupils are fascinated by the visual impact of the wet spinning clay in my hands. Most students are very keen to try. I encourage them to place their hands on the moving clay. Once both hands are touching the clay, the magic happens! I believe the tactile experience when both hands are stimulated, adding to the visual impact, causes a balancing effect on the individual.What we observe is that the students concentrate and become calm, eye contact and speech are improved, absorption and obvious pleasure is evident. I have had constant success with ADHD children, who are able to sustain focus for periods of time, exceeding their usual span of concentration. Those on the autistic spectrum and with Aspergers Syndrome respond well, engaging and participating, often abandoning obsessive behaviour, as the activity absorbs them. It is also effective therapy for both stroke victims and the visually impaired.
I am passionate about this activity and the positive benefits gained by the participants. Teachers also report, that as a result of a session on the wheel with me, the students continue to exhibit positive behaviour for the rest of the school day.
- For more information on classes go to contact page.
