Kids and Parents Get \"Fired Up\" for Creative Development through Pottery Classes

    /24-7PressRelease.com/ - Berkeley, CA - Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - The educational and developmental enrichment of children comprises one of today's hottest franchising trends. Parents are seeking fun and educational opportunities for their children. Their spending is now being fueled not just by "Boomers" but also by "Generation X'ers", a group that boasts $736 billion in spending power and includes many new parents.1 The benefits of providing such opportunities can be far-reaching, as teachers have reported enhanced cooperation, responsibility, dedication, confidence, and time management skills when students participated in "hands-on" projects.2

Kids 'N' Clay Pottery Studio in Berkeley has been nurturing creativity in young people since 1988. Students range in age from 3 to 18 years and are encouraged to explore their creativity while they learn the craft of ceramics. Kids 'N' Clay was founded by Kevin Nierman, a widely-recognized ceramic artist, who believes that by learning to express and execute their personal visions in clay; children can become empowered in ways that go far beyond the walls of their ceramic studio or classroom.

The atmosphere at Kids 'N Clay Studio is conducive to experimentation and originality. Children may participate in techniques that include hand-building, wheel throwing, and sculpture, as well as glazing and finishing.

Kids 'N' Clay is structured to enable children to find their own unique solutions. Nierman observes, "It's important for children to make their own decisions and mistakes, as part of the developmental process. This freedom to explore is a significant part of child development that is so lacking in our traditional educational environments today."

Nierman continues; "For the individual, creativity is a central part of what it is to be human. Unless we help young people to develop their innate desire to be creative and their innate capacity to create, we fail to educate them as whole and complete individuals. Creativity is central to the way society functions. In an obvious way through the arts, science, technology and myriad other manifestations, it enlivens our cultural, social and working relationships. But it also plays an important role in human interactions."

The teacher-to-student ratio at Kids 'N' Clay enables the proper level of assistance and supervision to support the creative process and maintain studio order, while still fostering the fundamental tenant of personal freedom and the expression of individuality.
Another important element that Kids 'N' Clay nourishes is that of community; both between the participants as well as between the families.

Kids 'N' Clay will be expanding their operations, via franchising, throughout the United States and selective international locations. The studio's physical layout and equipment also allows the Kids 'N' Clay franchisees to very easily include the very popular "paint-your-own" ceramics studio offerings to their location. They are seeking qualified candidates to become franchisees, with preferred candidates possessing backgrounds in teaching, the arts, or effective parenting. The initial launch of the program will be at the International Franchise Exposition (IFE) in Washington, DC - April 8th through 10th. More information on the exposition is available at www.franchiseexpo.com.

The Kids 'N' Clay franchise support system includes in-depth franchisee training, teamwork and experience, marketing materials and strategies, operational support, and more.

Interested parties may contact Kids 'N' Clay by phone at 866.KID.CLAY (866.543.2529), email at [email protected], or visit their Website at www.kidsnclay.com.

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