When providing young children with opportunities to create models it is important to realise that it is not the end product that is important, but the satisfaction and knowledge gained from the exploration of the materials. Resist the temptation to suggest ideas. Instead, listen to what the children say so that you can encourage their creative explorations further.
Once older children are familiar with the way materials behave, they will enjoy the challenge of creating models of specific structures. Always encourage them to choose the tools and materials they need and give support only when necessary. For example, you can demonstrate techniques such as making papier mache or glazing a completed model.
Under each of the headings below, suggested activities begin with ideas for free exploration and extend to creating specific structures. The extension ideas are intended for older children.
Messy modelling
Modelling with malleable materials is particularly satisfying, as even the youngest children can mould the substance into different shapes without the need for tools or joining materials.
* Supply clay, initially without modelling tools, for free exploration and then introduce tools to provide greater definition to abstract sculptures.
* Present the children with large mounds of playdough to mould into abstract shapes. Vary the texture, colour and appearance for added motivation. For example, try adding grains, powder paint or sequins.
* Put shaving foam on to a washable surface and encourage the children to mould it into peaks and swirls.
* Beat together two cups of soapflakes, half a cup of hot water and some powder paint to form a stiff mixture for the children to use to create soap sculptures. Additional materials such as twigs and straws can be added later. The mixture will dry to form light, airy sculptures.
* In winter, fill a water tray with fresh snow and mould snow creations.
* Supply a tray of dry sand and some water so that children can form a thick sand mousse to mould into shapes.
* Mix broken shredded wheat with PVA glue and green colouring to form a sticky, pliable substance. Mould it into long tube-like shapes or mounds to represent trees, bushes and hedges for small-world play.
Paper and card modelling
Paper and card are good contrasting modelling materials as paper is flexible and can be bent easily whereas card is rigid and ideal for geometrical structures.
* Mix papier mache by tearing newspaper into small pieces and stirring it into a bucket of wallpaper paste (without added fungicide). Encourage free modelling with the gooey mixture.
* Demonstrate how to curl thin strips of paper and glue the curls to a rigid card base to form a textured sculpture. Older children might use the curls to enhance their models of animals, for example, as fleece on model sheep or the curls of a lion's mane.
* Supply a selection of card cylinders, such as kitchen rolls, some tape and PVA glue, so that children can create abstract cylinder sculptures.
* Demonstrate how to cover balloons with strips of paper dipped in paste and leave to dry. Use the finished structures to create model animals.
* Supply paper straws and tape them together to create geometrical structures. Hang the finished models from the ceiling so that the children can see them from different angles as they turn in the breeze.
* Tape together a selection of sheets of thick card to create geometrical structures such as model buildings.
Edible modelling
Introduce the sense of taste to your model making by creating exciting things to eat.
* Make snack time fun by creating vegetable sculptures from a range of interesting vegetables, joined together using cocktail sticks with the points removed (always remove the sticks before sampling the vegetables).
* Melt together some crispy rice cereal, 250g marshmallows and 50g margarine to form a sticky mixture. Mould the mixture into shapes and put in the fridge to harden before enjoying.
Natural modelling
Autumn is an ideal time for natural modelling. Build up a collection of materials during your walks and sort them into separate containers.
* Provide the children with wood off-cuts, twigs, lollipop sticks and PVA glue to create 'wood' models.
* Create 'autumn sculptures' or imaginary creatures using items such as leaves, cones, conkers, ash keys and twigs glued to small logs.
Recycled models
Children enjoy creating 'junk models' from recycled materials. Supply different joining materials such as glue, tape, string and elastic bands.
* Tape boxes together to form geometrical structures. Extend this with older children into building robots, castles or model towns.
* Tie a string of small boxes together to create model snakes, caterpillars and trains.