Slate Necklaces and Flow State

This was a recent project that some of our Year 5/6 children were interested in. Sanding, smoothing, shaping, and bevelling the slate. Drilling holes to attach the cord. We had received a request to make necklaces, but what was surprising was the amount of pleasure the children appeared to get from the process of shaping the slate. They took their time and we observed a lot of children in a state of what we felt was peace or flow. This led us to think about the importance of tasks like this...

When children engage in hands-on, repetitive creative activities - like working with slate, clay, or wood - they’re doing far more than making something beautiful. Research in child development and neuroscience shows:

 It supports a “flow state.”
Repetitive, tactile tasks help children enter a calm, focused state where their attention is fully absorbed in the activity. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls this 'flow', and it’s linked to emotional regulation, reduced stress, and deeper engagement.

 It strengthens fine-motor and sensorimotor skills.
Using the hands in controlled, repeated movements improves coordination, precision, and hand strength. Occupational therapy studies show these activities support handwriting readiness, spatial awareness, and even early math skills.

 It activates the calming systems of the brain.
Slow, rhythmic hand movements stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system - the body’s “rest and restore” mode - leading to visible calmness, steadier breathing, and improved mood.

 It boosts creativity and problem-solving.
When children manipulate materials directly, they’re constantly testing ideas, adjusting, and inventing. These micro-experiments support cognitive flexibility and intrinsic motivation.

 It encourages persistence and independence.
Open-ended, repetitive craftwork lets children work at their own pace, make choices, and experience mastery - key ingredients in self-confidence and resilience.

Carrie Chapman