From: Dr. Wendy Hirsch Weiner, Ed. D.

(Tulane University, Brandeis U. and Florida International University.) (10-12-99 letter)

"I have not seen another product on the market, which can claim to do so much for under $10. Wood Clay is the clay of choice for my own children because it is non-toxic, very pliable, never dries out and even floats in water."

One package of Wood Clay can help improve your child's handwriting, bring mathematical equations to life, improve reading comprehension, teach the concept of buoyancy and give your child an outlet to express feelings.

Could your child's handwriting be improved?

Many children suffer from poor handwriting. Often, the child does not have one clear image of the letter stamped in his or her mind

and the result is poor formation of the letters. One solution to this problem is to have the child create letters with clay. The first step is to create you own alphabet charts by using ordinary index cards. On each card, draw one capital and lower-case printed letter. Next have your child roll out uniform 'snakes' of clay to create the letters. Four - six letters to create per day is plenty for most children. The first few times, the clay letters will reflect the student's poor handwriting. After repeating this exercise several times, the child will begin to make the clay letters accurately and will be able to transfer the formation of the clay letters to printed letters on paper. To assist the child with correct handwriting posture and letter accuracy Seibun's Spiral Grip pencil is the perfect choice as an accompaniment to using the Wood Clay to perfect handwriting skills.

Teaching Your Child to Understand Math

Math homework can be frustrating for student and parent alike. It is not unusual for a student to be able to compute the example in the book, but then not know how to apply the formula to the next problem. The breakdown is usually in understanding and visualizing the problem. I recommend to my students to use Wood Clay to help them sort, count and group when doing their homework. For example, to learn the concept of the multiplication problem 2 x 3 = 6, the student needs to think of the equation in terms of 2 groups of 3 = 6. To visualize this concept, the child should create 6 identical shapes out of the clay. Three of the shapes can be put on one small paper dish. The remaining three shapes are placed on the second dish. The child will then be able to visualize and understand how 2 x 3 = 6, by seeing 2 groups of 3 shapes. Wood Clay is the ideal material for this lesson, as it never dries out and can be used to make tailored shapes and sizes as needed, to visualize calculations, geometry and algebra.

Why Does My Rock Sink, But That Big Boat Floats?

This question has perplexed many children and adults alike. One feature of the Wood Clay is that it floats in water, which creates the perfect opportunity to teach the concept of buoyancy. Have your children design their own floating devises and put them in a container of water. Just make sure not to put it in the tub, sink or pool as the clay could clog up the drain. When the boats are placed in the water some may sink and others may float. Allow your children to make adjustments to their sinking ships so that they may understand buoyancy through experience and not from a text book.. It is never to early to teach your child to think critically!!

Don't Forget the Details

After reading a story, some children are able to tell you the overall theme, but remembers very few details of the characters. One way to assist your child to visualize the details is to read the story and have the child create with clay the details of the characters and scenery to make it come to life. For example, if you read 'Little Red Riding Hood', ask your child first to create Little Red Riding Hood out of clay, and then describe exactly what she created in detail. This exercise will help to develop concrete and visual skills of remembering facts and details otherwise not processed.

The preceding lessons are to be used to assist your child in learning. Not every child responds the same way as each is a unique individual. Clay however is universal, in that it can be manipulated into forms to represent different meanings to each sculptor. The neutral light wood color of this product is better than using a wide array of colors, because it increases the power of the imagination and therefore does not limit your child to specific colors. Since Wood Clay can be used over and over again, does not dry out, is non-toxic and can even float, this product is essential as a supplement to your child's education.

Dr. Wendy Hirsch Weiner, Ed. D. has degrees from Tulane University, Brandeis University and Florida International University. Dr. Weiner has performed extensive research in the area of learning styles and its implications in the classroom. Her company Learning Your Way, Inc., based in South Florida, evaluates individual learning styles, meets with parents and teachers and teaches appropriate study skills to assist learners in their own way in order for them to be successful in school. Dr. Weiner's practice attracts the gifted learner with poor study skills and is an advocate for them in the classroom. Her website can be found at www.learningyourway.net.

(make sure you type in .net ., Not .com!)
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