Clay Workshop for Children
On November 3, 2024, the first clay workshop was held for children at the “Detelina” Family-Type Accommodation Center for children without disabilities in Sofia. This was more than just a workshop – it was an exciting adventure and a true gift for the children—a time and space where they could be themselves, create, and express their emotions through the unique medium of clay.
The main task for the children was to make clay snails and invent stories about them. Inspired by their creativity and enthusiasm, they soon began crafting other objects as well.
Working with clay has a profoundly positive impact on emotional and mental health, especially for children who have experienced difficult moments. During these two-hour sessions, the children had the opportunity to express themselves in a free and healthy way. As they shaped the soft, pliable clay, they shared their thoughts, creating stories about the characters they made. Clay has a calming effect, allowing children to discover the joy of the creative process and take pride in their creations.
This initiative was realized in collaboration with Plamena Todorova – an inspiring mentor, art therapist, and potter who has been working with this art form since 2021. Currently, Plamena is completing training in “Clay Therapy” under Dr. Lin Souter-Anderson in England. She believes in the magical power of clay to heal and help people connect with their emotions and inner needs. Her mission is to popularize clay therapy as a tool for improving quality of life, and this workshop was another step toward achieving that goal.
This first workshop is just the beginning. In the long term, regular clay sessions can have a therapeutic effect, boost children’s self-esteem, improve their self-perception, and build confidence in other areas of life. This is more than art – it is care, attention, and a chance for a fresh start, given with love and hope for a brighter future.
You can follow Plamena and “Conversations with Clay” on Instagram at @clay.conversations.bg and on Facebook at Clay Conversations Bulgaria.
