Children Children's Pottery Lessons: Facts & Ideas facts and ideas

• The first pottery was made in 5000 BC!
• The first pottery was made by people in Egypt and the Near East to use as simple household utensils. They shaped clay cups by hand and baked them in the sun.
• It is believed that the pottery wheel was invented in China in 1500 BC. This allowed the formation of even, smooth, fine shapes. The same techniques are still used today.
• Porcelain is a type of pottery that is so thin and delicate light can shine through it!
• Pottery and glass are made from the same raw materials but with different proportions. Most clay, when heated to a high temperature, will melt into a glass.
• Unglazed pottery is called bisque & biscuit.
• Raw clay is transformed into a porous pottery when it is heated to a temperature of about 500°C.
• Stoneware is produced by raising the temperature and baking porcelain at greater heat. In this process part of the clay becomes vitrified, or glassy, and the strength of the pottery is increased.
• The word ceramic comes from the Greek word "κεραμικ?ς" (keramikos), meaning "of pottery" or "for pottery".
• Few techniques for ceramic painting were recorded; instead they were usually passed down from father to son or master to student.
• The oven that you heat clay in is called a kiln. Kilns are also used to dry tobacco leaves and dry wood for firewood.
• Painted pottery is our main source of information about Greek art history as fired clay pottery is highly durable and therefore many ancient objects have survived.

Some points to consider when researching a pottery painting venue;

• Do I need to pre-book or can I just turn up?
• Is this activity suitable for the age of your child/ children? Is there a simple pot that can be painted so that younger children are not excluded? Often there is a plain pottery tile in the selection which may be a suitable option – not too pricey but still messy and fun!
• What types of pottery do they have available for you to choose from and what is the price range? Most venues have a wide variety of items to paint, from an egg cup to a tea pot, all of which are charged at different prices. It is definitely worth checking the price of your chosen item before your child starts creating their ‘work of art’!
• Do the paints stain? Are they safe to use?
• If I’m not painting am I charged a studio fee?
• How long does it take to glaze/fire/varnish the pottery? Can we take it home the same day or do we have to come back to collect it? What can I do if I do not have time to finish my pottery painting?
• Does the venue cater for larger groups? Pottery painting parties are very popular with most age groups.

• Fine motor skills
• Concentration
• Creativity
• Relaxing
• Calming
• Patience

Pottery painting may provide many learning and development benefits for children and adults. It is a relaxing and therapeutic activity that cannot be rushed. It can provide an enjoyable and creative, quiet time for you to spend with your child/ children. Maybe painting pottery is just what the family needs as a break during a busy shopping morning – these venues usually serve refreshments. Creating a tangible masterpiece that will last for years (hopefully) may give your child a great sense of pride and achievement.

Angelina Jolie (born June 4, 1975) and Brad Pitt (born December 18, 1963) enjoy taking their family of 6 children to pottery painting venues.

Paint Your Own Pottery - This gives a brief insight into what you might expect at a pottery studio – it looks very calm and peaceful – we can’t promise they are all like that!