FIMO kids – Modelling with children
All about the oven-hardening modelling clay FIMO kids.
What is FIMO kids and how does it work?
FIMO kids is an oven-hardening modelling clay. Unlike conventional modelling clay, FIMO kids can be used to shape figures and objects for lasting playtime fun due to the fact that, once modelled, items can be oven-baked to harden. All that needs to be done is place the FIMO kids clay in an oven for 30 minutes at 110°C. Once cool, the material is hard and solid.
What’s so special about FIMO kids?
FIMO kids is particularly soft, easy to shape yet dimensionally stable at the same time – that's what makes this oven-hardening modelling clay ideal for children's use. Children can use FIMO kids to create their very own, long-lasting toy figures. The FIMO kids packaging is resealable. This enables an easy, practical and dust-free storage of any left-over bits of clay until next use.
Are there any age limits for FIMO kids?
The oven-hardening modelling clay FIMO kids is suitable for children from the age of 8. When crafting together, parents can best help their children by handling the oven-baking process and then handing the hardened toy over when it's ready.
The different FIMO kids sets
As well as individual blocks in 24 different colours, FIMO also comes in FIMO kids Colour Packs which include six blocks in different colours.
STAEDTLER FIMO kids form&play offers children a whole range of different themes for crafting and play. Jetting through outer space, galloping across meadows on a pony or helping a knight rescue a princess: With FIMO kids 'form&play' products, children are able to reproduce figures and then use them afterwards to act out stories in imaginary worlds of play. The sets are available in different levels of difficulty (1=easy, 2=medium, 3=difficult).
FIMO kids 'create&play' is designed for creative beginners. Short and concise instructions leave children plenty of scope for developing ideas of their own. The three different levels of difficulty (1=easy, 2=medium, 3=difficult) ensure there's plenty of fun to be had by both novices and advanced users alike when it comes to shaping and designing. Two jewellery sets for bracelets and necklaces provide children with everything they need for creating their very own, colourful accessories.
The colourful ‘work&play’ tools range is designed to help children with their modelling. Roll, cut, smooth out: The different tools from the FIMO kids 'work&play' range make working with clay all the easier. The tools’ shapes and sizes are just right for children’s hands, and the child-friendly cutting tools can be used without risk of injury.
FIMO kids isn’t just fun, it’s also educational. When children model their own toys, it promotes their fine motor skills, stimulates their imagination and sparks their creativity.
"Children live to play", says psychologist Michael Thiel. The expert explains just how important it is for children to be able to actively explore the world in which they live – and also gives tips and information on crafting, playing, learning and FIMO kids.
Colouring pictures, crafting, kneading – what may sound like a pleasant pastime to adults is, in actual fact, extremely important for a child's development.
"Children learn to understand the world through play", says psychologist Michael Thiel. "When they play, they investigate, take control of or change their surroundings. They learn how to concentrate on and get enthusiastic about something."
The expert goes on to explain that this is what provides the foundation for all subsequent learning achievements. A child's learning process is also very much dependent on it being able to feel and touch. By playing with different kinds of objects and crafting with different kinds of materials, children are not only training their motor skills, but grasping and understanding the world around them at the same time.
Supporting children
Evaluating, correcting, reprimanding – what may be justified in other areas of life is, according to psychologist Michael Thiel, not appropriate when a child is playing.
"If a child is crafting a turtle and what it's making looks nothing like one, that is no ground for criticism." Whatever the end result, children are very proud of things they've made themselves – especially when they've done it without any help.
The expert advises to not interfere when children are at play so that they can learn by trial and error. "Then, when the time for genuine praise comes, it means they're ready for new challenges."
Traditional or digital toys for children?
The expert Michael Thiel is convinced: "Despite technological advancements, it's still with classics like modelling clay, finger paints and building blocks that children learn the most."
After all, a child can only truly understand something if it is able to experience it first-hand using its senses – all of them preferably. That includes shaping things with its hands – something it cannot do with a digital toy.
Thiel therefore sees digital playthings as supplements, not as replacements for traditional ones. "Learning has to 'get under your skin'. Only when a child is able to explore an object with its hands can it get a feel for its own body and strength, learn how to apply the right amount of pressure and develop its perceptive skills", Thiel explains.
Young craft makers
Crafting is an especially good way to train hand-eye coordination and to develop an awareness for three dimensionality.
Thiel also finds: "Creativity is best stimulated when children turn something ordinary into something unique. By baking them in the oven, children are able to turn objects they've made with FIMO kids into keepsakes that last. FIMO kids is softer than adult FIMO and is easier to shape."
"Children love creating things they can play with that will last and also like designing personal gifts, e.g. for their nannas and granddads. That's what children enjoy doing and it's good for their self-confidence too."
