Wood work in the classroom

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Why Woodworking?As children explore with tools and wood, they will use large and small muscles. Sawing, for example, requires large movement, while holding a screw in place requires small-muscle coordination. As children make decisions about design, shape and type of wood to use, they participate in problem-solving skills. If children are working together to saw a piece of wood to build a bridge, they practice social skills. These skills may carry over into real-world settings (Skeen, Garner, & Cartwright, 1984).

Woodworking also allows children another avenue for creativity. When children are provided with enough materials, technical assistance, and limits, they can experiment as they wish. As they become more skillful, they can use more advanced tools and develop their ideas accordingly. It is important, however, that children not be required to imitate models provided by others. Children may become frustrated when their resulting product does not resemble the model provided; they may give up rather than explore other possibilities. Remember, the planning and building process is more important that the finished product.

As children successfully complete their projects, even if the project is sawing a piece of wood in two, they are building self-esteem. When they use their constructions in other play episodes their self-esteem is enhanced. Children's work does not have to be complete in order for them to feel a sense of accomplishment. As with other successes, seeing some progress can keep a child going

working with different tools

hard at work

result of hard work