Choosing children”s plasticine

One of the most cherished art supplies for kids is plasticine. It offers countless hours of entertainment and education by enabling them to mold and shape their imagination into vibrant creations. But it can be overwhelming to choose the best plasticine for your child when there are so many options available.

The advantages of each kind of plasticine vary. Some are firmer and better suited for intricate work, while others may be softer and easier for small hands to shape. Other crucial things to think about are the safety regulations, the colors offered, and the materials used.

This post will walk you through the qualities to consider when choosing plasticine for your child, enabling you to make an informed decision that promotes their growth and creativity while also keeping safety in mind.

Useful properties

Adults are particularly aware of toys that serve both a developmental and entertainment purpose. One notable example of such an invention is plasticine, which is noteworthy for a number of reasons. First of all, the development of the child’s hand fine motor skills is greatly aided by this straightforward product. A baby’s hands are incredibly weak, and even the untrained eye can see how unnatural his movements are. He will need to first build up his muscles; specific exercises could assist him in this. Only then will he be able to use his hands to solve common problems that appear to be very simple to us.

Naturally, it is impossible to make a child exercise in a methodical manner every day; the necessary will be accomplished on its own, as the child plays games with no clear goal in mind. But aside from being a game, plasticine can also be considered an exercise. Because of this, specialists in the field of child development advise parents to get their infants some plasticine, even if they are obviously not old enough to paint masterpieces. After all, you have to start with the most basic step, which is to prepare the hands.

If a young child can benefit from simply kneading plasticine in their hands, imagine the possibilities this material holds for elevating finger control to a whole new level in the future. The child will eventually try shaping a piece of mass into something that resembles something from the outside world, rather than just kneading it abstractly. If he doesn’t think of this on his own, his parents or kindergarten teachers will encourage him to do so.

Even though this task is already orders of magnitude more difficult, it is also more engaging and helps to develop precise finger movements.

Second, if a child performs well enough in challenging plasticine exercises, they may be encouraged to pursue creativity, if only momentarily. It is not necessary to force creativity upon a child; instead, every infant should be given the chance to try it out, and you should never stop him if he shows interest in it and succeeds in it.

Moreover, since classes can be a great way to realize oneself, parents in this situation have a responsibility to support the growth of the opportunities for them.

I agree that it is always nice to see people praised for accomplishing something that most people find difficult, and praise is especially meaningful for children. Furthermore, if the child is not devoid of talent and persists in being engaged for years—not because his parents force him to, but out of his own free will—there’sa chance that he will eventually gain widespread recognition and success in society, not to mention the added benefit of being in a confident material state.

Great sculptors also rarely create their masterpieces on their first try, and since this profession is ideal for honing creative thinking, it can be applied to other fields as well, like design.

Thirdly, there are numerous minor benefits to modeling plasticine. For instance, a child occupied with modeling is not doing anything dangerous right now, but he might attempt to break something, jam his fingers into a socket, and so forth. Plasticine can help a baby learn that the world is more than just the digital realm in the early stages of life, especially in light of the harsh criticism leveled at the rising popularity of modern gadgets among kids and their potential for addiction. Plasticine is also frequently regarded by child psychologists as a superior sedative.

Safety, usability, and creativity are all important factors to take into account when selecting children’s plasticine. Seek for options that are soft, moldable, non-toxic, and won’t dry out or discolor easily. Age-appropriate plasticine is entertaining and instructive at the same time. It can foster fine motor skills and ignite the imagination. Make sure the package is a suitable fit for your child’s needs by paying attention to the details, like the quantity of plasticine and tools included.

History of creation

As it often happens, plasticine was not originally created for the purpose that eventually became considered the main one. However, even now it successfully performs, including those tasks for which it was once specially created, however, children, for whom the absolutely predominant part of it is produced in our time, at first had nothing to do with it. It all started with the Englishman William Herbutt. Even in his youth, the young man decided to devote himself to art and received the appropriate education, but later he took up not the actual practice, but teaching students his favorite business. Apparently, he really had talent and loved his job, since he quickly gained a reputation as an excellent teacher, and was even able to open his own school of the corresponding profile, which enjoyed a good reputation.

While instructing, Herbutt observed that one thing in particular was preventing his students from reaching new heights: the clay, which at the time served as the primary teaching material for sculptors to come, was hardening too quickly. Everything went well as long as his students finished basic tasks at the beginning; however, when it came to more difficult sculptural forms, the students just did not have enough time in a single lesson to complete the sculpture. Since new soft parts did not adhere well to the hardened surface, the unfinished product had time to dry out before work was resumed, essentially preventing the master from taking a break during the process.

Herbutt chose to try to find a way to stop the clay from hardening too quickly because he loved his job; if he had not loved his job, he would have put the onus of solving the problem on the students. The precise number of compositions he attempted is unknown to history, but it is thought to be in the hundreds. Following years of experimentation and analysis, Herbutt determined that a combination of stearic acid, petroleum jelly, and chalk satisfied his needs.

The resultant material was non-toxic, allow repeated use, and had a consistency appropriate for modeling educational sculptures—it was not temporary, but permanent—because it readily changed shape when subjected to mechanical action and could even melt when heated gently.

Herbutt first distributed his creation, known as Plasticine (the modern English term for plasticine), to students in 1897, with the intention of using it only as a teaching tool. But word of this new material spread quickly among artists, and soon established sculptors wanted to practice on more malleable materials before turning their ideas into works of art. They started contacting Herbutt, asking to be given a small amount of this mixture.

However, if adults saw it more as a means—albeit a simplified one—but as just one of many modeling techniques, particularly for sculptures that are not meant to last—then children were ecstatic about this new discovery. At that point, Herbutt already had his own grandchildren, and he could see how the kids in his home related to a toy like that. Realizing that his creation was approaching the status of genius, he patented both the name and the recipe. Two years later, he started mass producing the product, painting it in various colors with a distinct kid-focused aesthetic.

Later, numerous developers added their own ingredients to the mixture to achieve new properties. As a result, plasticine came to be used for a wide range of purposes, from children’s creativity to engineering design. Today, there are many different varieties of plasticine available.

What children"s plasticine should be like?

• Softness and plasticity. Too hard plasticine is not suitable, at least because the baby will not be able to mold it with his small weak hands, or will be forced to make a huge effort to do so, which is unlikely to help interest the child. At the same time, it should have a high enough density to keep its shape well.

• Adhesiveness to itself. A child should be able to create his creations not only from a single piece of mass, but also from individual small pieces, and for this it is necessary that they stick together well.
• Absence of stickiness to other objects. People of the older generation may be surprised, but plasticine does not necessarily have to stick to hands, nor stain clothes and furniture. Many modern types are completely devoid of this negative quality. Of course, this advice is more important not for children, but for parents, but it is the latter who choose it.

• Possibility of mixing colors. The more colors of plasticine in the set, the better, since this is the only way to fully develop the child"s imagination. No set has an infinite number of colors, but the problem is solved by mixing different shades in different proportions. Unfortunately, with cheap varieties of the mixture, not everything is so simple – often their mixing does not give the result expected from drawing lessons, but some kind of incomprehensible color mass.
• Safety. Of course, plasticine should be completely non-toxic – this is what the manufacturers write on the packaging. Experts also say that, contrary to popular belief, it is better not to buy plasticine with a "tasty" smell – a child may want to try the mixture, and although it is not poisonous, it can block the respiratory tract.

Features of the chemical composition

William Herbutt’s original plasticine was entirely non-toxic, but over time, producers started to drastically alter the mixture’s ingredients—some to achieve novel, intriguing properties, and others in a cynical effort to lower the product’s price.

In certain cases, this even runs counter to the idea of using the mass to foster children’s creativity because, although the substance may be safe when handled by hands, kids always love putting things in their mouths and don’t even need to try to swallow the mass to get into trouble. In other words, parents need to exercise caution because progress isn’t always going in the right direction.

Prior to purchasing, take note of the product’s composition as stated on the packaging. If it is not stated, consider whether it makes sense to purchase the product at all. Modern plasticine typically contains the following ingredients: industrial oil, clay, ceresin, wax, and dyes. The latter, incidentally, are a very nebulous concept, since they can be hazardous chemicals as well as organic and innocuous substances.

It is safe to purchase plasticine with a coloring agent that is labeled as natural.

Nonetheless, the constituents may differ and may not even be detrimental simultaneously. For instance, the well-known plasticine Play-Doh stands out for its remarkable environmental approach because it only contains natural dyes and binders along with water, salt, and wheat flour. Naturally, consuming the entire product won’t hurt it, but since the maker didn’t make it for kids, he had to make sure they wouldn’t enjoy the flavor, which they achieved by oversalting it.

But far more frequently than not, producers substitute far less safe substitutes for widely recognized components, such as artificial flavoring, silicone thickener, synthetic solvent, and so forth. While we won’t argue that any of the components on the list are inherently dangerous, it is evident that they don’t have a complete counterpart in nature, and parents—unless they have specialized training—will not be able to assess the level of safety of such a substance for a child.

Experts advise paying attention to the smell, by the way. Since almost all flavorings are synthetic, if plasticine has an unpleasant smell that is obviously not manufactured especially for it, that is a dead giveaway that it is harmful.

Types of modeling products: advantages and disadvantages

Due to the wide range of options available today, you can choose while considering even the most delicate client requests, as each type has unique characteristics. By the way, some mixtures are not literally plasticine; in fact, they are not even referred to by this name; nonetheless, because of their similar functions, they can be categorized as its varieties. Let’s look at what manufacturers currently have to offer.

Magic

Naturally, we are not discussing any magical abilities, but that is the name of the trademark, and the unique quality of this type of plasticine is that it never dries out. This is a great purchase for beginners who are just learning and lack the strength to knead the mass on their own, rather than for kids who already show real talent and want to create timeless masterpieces. Every day, non-hardening plasticine in their hands will create something new!

Plasticine that hardens in the air

This type is the exact opposite of the previous one in that products made with it cannot be reused because they harden so much in just 24 hours outside. This characteristic makes the mixture unsuitable for training, as it will not allow for the reconstruction of a failed figurine or the creation of a new one from it.

It was not intended for this use, though; rather, it was designed for kids who want to keep their creative expression alive for a very long time and who can clearly sculpt. These kinds of products go by different names in our nation; examples are velvet plastic and sculptural plasticine.

Smart

Also referred to as "handgum" or "hand-chewing gum." This odd material works better as a fine motor skills trainer than it does as a material for figurines. Its main characteristic is that it can self-heat to a liquid state under the force of gravity and then solidify again. It also adheres to itself extremely well, but in high-quality sets, it leaves no trace on hands or clothing.

Even adults actively utilize it as a "time killer" and stress reliever, but kids have already grown to love this application technique.

Ball, or granular

Its characteristics are generally the same as those of an ordinary one, but instead of being a single, homogenous mass, it is made up of discrete, evenly-colored balls. It is frequently used as an artistic embellishment for crafts rather than as a stand-alone material because of its eye-catching brightness and attractive appearance. For instance, it is frequently used to cover classic plasticine figures.

Jumping

This is a property that can be inherent in any of the previously mentioned types of mass, not a specific type. Rubber plasticine is the other name for the mixture because when a product made of it falls from a height, it bounces like a ball instead of deforming like traditional plasticine and breaking into pieces.

Floating

Since items made of this type don’t sink, it should be appealing to kids who enjoy taking baths with their toys. Customers commend it for its unique softness, which enables kids of all hand sizes to use it. However, you can frequently find unfavorable reviews of this kind, claiming that it is somewhat challenging to mold.

Best manufacturers

Since there are numerous plasticine manufacturers on the market today, it stands to reason that the quality and characteristics of their products vary. It is important to note right away that popular domestic brands like "Luch" and "Gamma" typically receive negative feedback; this is old-school plasticine that is poorly colored and easily soiled. When discussing more well-known brands, the following are typically identified:

• Play-Doh. If you have children and you are actively interested in related topics, you simply must know what the Hasbro company is, producing billions of toys adored by children all over the world. This company is the author of this brand and it is impossible to find fault with such plasticine, because it is not only natural, but even made from edible components.

One, and only one, drawback is that the company’s products—including plasticine—are all extremely pricey.

• Koh-I-Noor. The famous Czech brand made a name for itself mainly on pencils, but positions itself as "products for creativity", so they also have plasticine. The most adequate remark is good ordinary plasticine, without any impressive properties, but also without reasons for criticism. Soft, well suited for small children.
• "Kroha". As we can see, Russian brands are capable of surprising not only in a bad way. Plasticine of this brand is distinguished by its special softness, it will not only yield to weak children"s hands – you can even draw with it! Thanks to this, a child can discover a completely new way of drawing, creating three-dimensional pictures, the relief of which can be corrected directly by hands if necessary.

• Play Art. This company focused on the production of so-called 3D plasticine, which is easy to mold and does not get dirty, and after 24 hours after molding it finally hardens and takes a permanent shape. The material is actually intended for independent creation of toys, which, by the way, do not break when hit, but spring, which allows you to make even a full-fledged ball. The set includes colored plasticine, which can be mixed to obtain new shades, but the creators point out that after hardening, the product can also be painted in any available way.

• Erich Krause. Another popular brand for modeling, which is chosen for the brightness of colors and relatively low price with acceptable quality. It is noted that despite the budget, the manufacturer did not forget to wrap each bar separately, many sets also include a stack for modeling. Among the disadvantages, they point out that the hardness is too high for a preschooler.
• Art Berry. In principle, this product is also released by the company described in the previous paragraph, but it is a completely different type of product – it is a plant-based dough that hardens within 24 hours. This dough has a bright color and is great for horizontal modeling, but it does not hold a complex vertical shape well, especially a composite one. Over time, very dry dough begins to crumble, so even a figure made from it will not last forever, and it will not be possible to restore elasticity with water.

This solution is meant to be used for playtime with the special molds that are also included, rather than modeling. Because of this, its goal is not creativity but rather providing amusement for young audiences.

Interesting sets and accessories for children

Modern manufacturers are already finishing their sets with a variety of interesting additions in addition to the actual mass for modeling, given the wide range of types and purposes of plasticine.

For the smallest child

For the first time, choosing plasticine with natural origins is preferable; ten colors should be sufficient. This mixture is officially referred to as dough, even though it is frequently the same. As a result, it lacks a firm, stable form and is sold in individual jars, which can also be sold in sets of up to three colors or even evenly.

This product’s application is a little bit similar to that of sand from a sandbox, but unlike that latter, it frequently dries out and crumbles over time without having the chance to regain its plasticity, so each time it is not in use, it needs to be put away right away in a container.

Creativity in the direction

Certain sets require inventiveness in the direction that the creators have chosen. The set may come with various plastic play accessories as well as special molds that make it simple and incredibly realistic to sculpt certain characters. In certain cases, plasticine allows the completed figure to be colored externally; in other cases, the set also comes with drawing templates.

Although sets featuring a boyish theme are also available, girls find such intricate creativity in a mass dimension to be more intriguing.

For children of primary school age

However, when selecting materials for elementary school-aged children who exhibit a certain level of giftedness, it is important to leave plenty of room for creativity. Even though 12 colors might not seem like enough, having 24 will enable the child to precisely select the ideal shade or make his own. Moreover, a large palette inevitably yields a substantial amount of material.

Though it might only be available in white or black, such plasticine still needs to be painted after it hardens. While modeling with colored plasticine may seem more intriguing, the latter option enables the creation of far more intricate and realistic images.

Criteria	Details
Safety	Choose non-toxic, hypoallergenic plasticine, safe for young children.
Softness	Opt for soft, easy-to-mold plasticine for younger kids to develop motor skills.
Color Variety	Pick sets with multiple bright colors to encourage creativity.
Washability	Ensure it"s easy to clean off hands, clothes, and surfaces.
Durability	Good plasticine should hold its shape and not dry out quickly.

Making the right plasticine choice for your child can help develop their fine motor skills and creativity. With so many options, it’s important to think about things like ease of use, safety, and softness to make sure your child has the best possible crafting experience.

Soft plasticine that is non-toxic is perfect for young kids who are just beginning to explore their artistic abilities. Additionally, it’s critical to look for plasticine that doesn’t harden too quickly so they can easily mold and shape their ideas.

Ultimately, the most crucial thing is to select safe and enjoyable plasticine. By doing this, you’re fostering their growth and development in addition to giving them a fun creative outlet.

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What types of plasticine are there. Types of children"s plasticine. Choosing plasticine for children.