Engaging children in the art of pottery - a club where students are taught to make pottery, pots and jugs, is run in one of Pavlodar’s schools. The secrets of the craft are shared by well-known masters. For example, Aidar Abdykarimov used to work in a ceramic workshop, where they made clay dishes. Two dozen students signed up for masterclasses led by the craftsman.
“It is very interesting for both adults and children. And, apparently, it's time for me to pass on the experience,” said Aidar Abdykarimov, a potter.
“I learned how to center, make a shape and much more. I did hand sculpting as well. First I trained on plasticine, and then switched to clay,” said Sofiya Safarova, a student.
Psychologists say that the benefits of clay therapy are enormous. It is the practice of pottery that helps children develop fine motor skills and instills patience in them. The school hopes to soon gather a collection of works by young pottery masters and arrange an exhibition.
“We should make good use of children's free time. That’s why we have clubs. We want children to engage in creative activities. The pottery club turned out to be a good idea,” said Orazbek Bakhatkhan, Deputy Principal, Pavlodar School.
The idea was picked up by other schools. Other educational institutions of Pavlodar now want to open pottery clubs too.
Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova
Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova
