We designed Claymates as a platform to create authentic connections and meaningful conversations that count. As educators, artists, musicians and parents ourselves, we saw a need for children to have an outlet to explore and develop emotional and social sensitivity. We created Claymates in direct response to this need as we live in an age of overwhelming distractions from media and technology. We see a generation of children who are losing touch with authentic social connection, self-reliance, empathy, compassion, and creative problem solving — all of which can translate into feelings of social separation and anxiety.
Claymates can help children explore and express their emotions. Children create characters on totally open-ended, non-gender-specific figures and then play-act the stuff of their lives.
As imaginary role play becomes fluid, a host of social context or scenarios can be introduced for children to explore — from helping around the house, to experiences of bullying, to approaching new friends, even how to say “I’m sorry.” Observing the children’s social-emotional responses and problem solving, educators can engage children in discussing possible solutions or responses to events and issues in their lives.
We encourage you to squish some clay between your fingers yourselves.
Creating conversations that count.
Matt Johnson
Roger Johnson
“We believe that through play, children are more imaginative, emotional & authentic.”
— Roger & Matt Johnson
There was not a string instrument Roger would pick up that he could not play. He was even able to play the Bolivian charango made from the hollowed-out husk of an armadillo, prickly hair and all. He was a sculptor, painter, singer, and renaissance man. But, much more than that, he was a husband, a friend, a mentor — and my dad.
Roger became one with the stars in 2021. I could not let his Claymates idea sit in his workshop. It is too important. Claymates can change childhoods, and in teaching children how to process and express their emotions … could change their futures as adults as well.
I bring you Claymates for your children, in honor of my father.
