The things kids say about woodworking
Make+Meld workshops focus a lot on woodworking and give kids the opportunity to use tools. For most kids it’s something they either haven't done before, or have done once or twice while helping their dad or grandpa (Yes, tools are often seen as the realm of dad's, not always, but a lot! - anyway that's another topic entirely) and in general woodworking tools are usually, or are very often, off-limits to kids.
So when we visit a kindy or primary school, and give kids the opportunity to get hands-on using real tools to build things, what is their reaction? Maybe this is the best way to sum up the benefits of woodworking for kids -
The things that kids say about woodworking.
These are just a few of things I've heard Kindy kids say about woodworking -
My dad has a hammer.
Is this a real hammer?
I already know how to do that!
Can you help me?
I've finished already.
This is easy.
Look, I did it!
Benefits of Woodworking for Kindy kids (3 top benefits from my experience)
The Joy of Play - In the early years, play is everything. So putting on a pair of safety goggles, using a hammer, screwdriver or saw, and making your own toys which you can then play with afterwards is what this age group really gets a kick out of.
Hand-eye coordination, hand-skills and perseverance - Some kids struggle to hold a piece of wood while hammering a nail into it, while others smash it out (btw it's often the girls that excel at hammering at this age). Of course it's those kids that struggle, that really benefit and those are the ones that are overjoyed when they finally master the skill. Which links in my next point..
Strength and confidence - Using a saw to cut a piece of wooden dowel (don't worry, our saws are clamped in place making it safe for even little kids to use) to make passengers and drivers for their wooden cars, is when kids get to show off how strong they are and what they can do! It's so nice to see the smile on a child's face when they look at you and say 'I did it"!
What about primary school age kids? This is some of the things that primary school kids say about our school incursions -
This is the best day of school ever!
I know this sounds like I'm blowing our Make+Meld trumpet here, but it's true, kids at schools LOVE our incursions! We hear this a lot and it never loses its impact.
I can't believe they're letting me use a real hammer!
This is so funny, but it's true - kids that would not usually be given the trust and responsibility to use tools are given it and they thrive because of it. It is very rare to see a kid be silly with a hammer, screwdriver or saw. They revel in the responsibility!
This is so fun!
Again, this is what it's all about and to think they are actually learning something at the same time - bonus!
Benefits of our school incursions (from my experience and from the mouths of teachers)
1. Learn by doing - At our school incursions kids make their own Pinball Machines (while learning about contact and non-contact forces), Mini Wooden Towns (while exploring features and places in their community) and Outdoor Sculptures (while exploring properties of Materials). Students are engaged in the learning experience and those kids that are maybe not as engaged in the classroom are the ones that are the most engrossed.
2. A new experience - When we're all set up for our incursions and the class enters the hall where we’re set up, their initial reaction is usually an exclamation of 'wow this is cool'! All the materials and tools available to them to use to bring their designs to life. It's like they are kids in a candy shop. They are excited about making and creating and being given freedom to get a bit messy and have a go using tools and materials they may have never used before - from hammers and saws to hot glue guns.
And finally, these are just a few things that our Afterschool MakerClub kids say-
What are we making today?
Can we make... (insert whatever they want to make here .... mini furniture, a balance board, a sword)
It's Tinker day! We can make whatever we want!
Benefits of our After school MakerClubs (from my experience and what I've seen)
1. Confidence building through responsibility - it's really fulfilling to see kids' confidence grow, and that certainly happens during the course of our MakerClub term! At first kids aren't allowed to use the saw by themselves - it's always direct one on one supervision. But when the older kids have shown us that they are capable, and that they know how to use it safely, we step back and let them set it up, clamp it and saw by themselves. Not only can they do it themselves, they are also able to, and love to help others.
2. Perseverance - Sometimes it's hard work hammering in all those nails to make their creation. Maybe they set themselves a huge task with an intricate string art design. But the fulfillment and sense of achievement they get when they complete that difficult task is evident!!
3. Developing skills - We have some kids that have been coming to MakerClub for a few years now and it shows in their level of skill and abilities. These are the kids that know how to mark-out, pre-nail, use glue without it pouring everywhere and hammer without needing someone to help them hold the wood or flatten the nail. I just wonder what they do with all those things they are making - hopefully they are not taking up too much space in their room or house - hopefully they are things that are useful to them - or something they can give to others!
Helen (co-founder / workshop facilitator)
