clay therapy
a form of therapy in which children manipulate clay, often used in physical rehabilitation, in stimulating individuals with intellectual disability, and in the assessment and treatment of various disorders. The clay can be a metaphor for feelings, yet at the same time it serves as a tangible item that is visible, changeable, and under the child’s control. A child can look at the clay, focus on it, manipulate it, squeeze it, and pound it, which can help reduce anxiety, enable the acting out of hostile emotions, and provide opportunities for gratification, achievement, and acceptance.