Working with clay enables young children to express, explore, and communicate their feelings and ideas. This resource booklet for early childhood practitioners and it promotes the clay table as a special place for shared discoveries, social interaction, and discussion. The booklet provides a glossary of terms used in clay work, as well as reasons for using clay in addition to dough and graphic work. The booklet highlights the importance of staff commitment to: meaningful interactions with children at the clay table, maintaining a permanent space for regular clay work, providing regular blocks of time, caring for the clay, documenting and displaying children's work, and sharing experiences with families. Basic requirements for clay work are delineated, including the necessary space, materials, and tools. Suggestions are given for engaging, supporting, sustaining, and provoking children's interest in clay work. Characteristics of preschool children involved in clay work are also described. The booklet also presents techniques for clay work, including coils, slabs, armatures, slurry, and textures. Display and documentation of children's work are outlined, and procedures for caring for clay are delineated, including recycling materials and health and safety issues. (KB)