By Tgnews Reporter
In a step toward inclusive empowerment and innovative therapy, Helping Hands for Women and Youth Support partnered with the Plateau State Disability Rights Commission (PSDRC) to host a transformative two-day training workshop on the Clay for Play Manual.
The programme, led by renowned clay therapy expert Dr. Esther Dokyoung, equips persons with disabilities (PWDs), educators, caregivers, and community facilitators with practical skills to harness abundant local clay as a tool for healing, learning, creativity, and economic self-reliance.
The training, held in Jos, drew distinguished participants including the Chairman of the Plateau State Disability Rights Commission, members of Helping Hands for Women and Youth Support, representatives from special schools, media professionals, and community supporters.
Dr. Esther Dokyoung, Facilitator and Trainer for the Clay for Play Programme and a pioneering researcher in ceramics-based interventions delivered an inspiring welcome address that set the tone for the event.
Highlighting Nigeria’s vast untapped clay deposits, Dr. Dokyoung stated: “Today, we are gathered to explore a unique and impactful approach to therapy, learning, and empowerment an approach rooted in the use of clay, one of the most abundant yet least harnessed natural resources in Nigeria.”
She emphasized the programme’s goal: transforming this everyday material into avenues for emotional release, sensory development, skill acquisition, and income generation.
The Clay for Play Manual, developed by Dr. Dokyoung, stands as a culturally relevant intervention tool tailored for inclusive education and therapy, particularly for persons with disabilities.
Its core components promote multisensory engagement combining touch, sight, movement, and creativity to enhance memory, coordination, emotional regulation, and self-expression.
Key innovations include:
- The Clay Mathematical Game, an original creation from Dr. Dokyoung’s Master’s research at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. This tactile modelling activity simplifies foundational numeracy, boosts concentration, and builds confidence for learners facing cognitive or learning challenges through playful, hands-on strategies.
- Beads production using recycled materials, where participants craft clay beads incorporating discarded items like paper, plastics, and clay scraps—advancing circular economy principles, reducing waste, and fostering environmental awareness while creating marketable jewellery and crafts for small-scale entrepreneurship.
The intensive two-day agenda immerses participants in: Clay as therapy for emotional release, sensory regulation, calming effects, and better social interaction; Practical skills in sourcing, identifying, and safely processing local clay and minerals; Hands-on activities including bead making, clay modelling, craft design, and the Clay Mathematical Game; Life skills such as packaging, presentation, finishing techniques, and basic entrepreneurship, and Creative recycling to turn waste into valuable items.
Participants will also explore integrating these clay-based methods into classrooms, therapy sessions, rehabilitation centres, homes, and community empowerment initiatives across Plateau State and beyond.
Dr. Dokyoung, whose pioneering work dates back to the 1990s including the development of an indigenous ceramics bead model for children with learning disabilities described the training as far more than a workshop: “It is an opportunity to build confidence, strengthen abilities, and unlock new possibilities for inclusion and economic participation.”
She expressed strong confidence that attendees would emerge fully equipped to replicate these empowering techniques in diverse settings.
The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to disability rights, inclusive growth, and leveraging local resources for sustainable development.
The Plateau State Disability Rights Commission and Helping Hands for Women and Youth Support—organizations dedicated to advocacy, support, and empowerment—continue to champion initiatives that uplift vulnerable groups.
As the sessions unfold, this innovative programme promises to inspire a ripple effect of inclusion, creativity, and self-sufficiency, proving that simple, indigenous materials like clay can drive profound change for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Read the statement in full Distinguished Chairman of the Plateau State Disability Rights Commission, esteemed members of Helping Hands for Women and Youth Support, representatives from our special schools, our colleagues from the media, friends, and all well-wishers — I warmly welcome you to this transformative two-day training on the Clay for Play Manual.
Today, we are gathered to explore a unique and impactful approach to therapy, learning, and empowerment—an approach rooted in the use of clay, one of the most abundant yet least harnessed natural resources in Nigeria. Our country is richly endowed with clay and minerals in large quantities, scattered across communities, but many of these resources remain untouched. With the Clay for Play programme, we seek to change that by turning clay into a tool for healing, creativity, and economic opportunity.
The Clay for Play Manual: Components and Purpose One of the key components is the Clay Mathematical Game, an innovation I developed during my Master’s programme. This game uses clay modelling activities to simplify foundational numeracy, strengthen concentration, and build confidence in learners who face cognitive or learning challenges. Through tactile engagement and playful learning strategies, children and adults alike can grasp mathematical concepts more easily.
Another vital component is beads production using recycled materials. Participants learn how to create clay beads while incorporating discarded items such as paper, plastics, and leftover clay scraps—thereby promoting the principles of the circular economy. This helps reduce waste, encourages environmental responsibility, and opens up pathways for small-scale income-generating activities through jewellery and craft production.
Over the next two days, participants will be fully immersed in:
Clay as therapy: understanding how clay supports emotional release, sensory regulation, calming, and improved social engagement.
Sourcing, identifying, and processing clay and minerals: gaining practical knowledge of where clay comes from and how to prepare it safely and effectively for use.
Skill-building activities: including bead making, clay modelling, simple craft design, and the Clay Mathematical Game.
Life skills development: such as packaging, presentation, craft finishing, and entrepreneurship basics.
Waste reuse and creative recycling: learning how to convert seemingly useless materials into valuable craft items.
Beyond the hands-on sessions, participants will also learn how to integrate clay-based activities into classroom settings, therapy routines, community training, and empowerment programmes.
This training represents more than a workshop — it is an opportunity to build confidence, strengthen abilities, and unlock new possibilities for inclusion and economic participation. I am confident that by the end of our time together, every participant will be equipped with skills that can be replicated in schools, rehabilitation centres, homes, and communities across Plateau State and beyond.
I appreciate all our partners, supporters, and stakeholders for believing in this vision. Your presence here signals a collective commitment to inclusive growth and the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Thank you once again for honouring this invitation. I wish us all a meaningful, impactful, and inspiring training experience.
Welcome, and let us begin.
By Dr. Esther Dokyoung, Facilitator/Trainer – Clay for Play Programme
The Clay for Play Manual is a carefully designed intervention tool that promotes inclusive learning and development, especially for persons with disabilities. It incorporates various components that increase access to multisensory engagement — touch, sight, movement, and creativity working together to support memory, coordination, emotional regulation, and self-expression.
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