Woodwork

The Benefits of Woodworking at Kate Greenaway

At Kate Greenaway Nursery, woodworking is an enriching and valuable activity that supports children's learning and development across multiple areas. Through hands-on experiences with real tools and materials, children develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and creativity while fostering a sense of responsibility and independence.

Why Woodworking?

Woodwork provides a unique opportunity for children to develop critical skills across all areas of learning, including:

Physical Development

• Enhances hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills needed for activities such as hitting nails and sawing wood.
• Strengthens muscles in the hands and arms, supporting emerging writing skills.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)

• Encourages turn-taking, collaboration, and negotiation as children share tools and work together.
• Develops perseverance and deep levels of involvement in meaningful, hands-on tasks.
• Boosts self-esteem and confidence as children see their ideas come to life.

Communication and Language (C&L)

• Supports active listening and following multi-step instructions.
• Expands vocabulary related to design, engineering, and construction.
• Encourages children to express their ideas, discuss their creations, and explain their thinking.

Expressive Arts and Design (EAD)

• Provides opportunities to explore different media and tools, focusing on the creative process rather than the end product.
• Fosters imaginative thinking as children combine materials and refine their designs.
• Develops a sense of achievement and pride in their creations.

Mathematics

• Encourages mathematical thinking through measuring, estimating, and problem-solving (e.g., "How many nails do I need?" or "What length of wood should I use?").
• Supports spatial awareness as children construct 3D forms.
• Helps children understand concepts of weight, size, and shape through hands-on exploration.

Understanding the World (UW)

• Introduces children to the properties of wood and other materials, deepening their understanding of their environment.
• Encourages discussions about where wood comes from, how trees grow, and their role in producing oxygen.
• Develops problem-solving and critical thinking as children reflect on their creations and explore improvements.

Literacy

• Supports mark-making and early writing as children draw plans and label their models.
• Encourages storytelling by using models in imaginative play.
• Introduces fiction and non-fiction books to inspire design ideas.

The Value of Woodworking

Woodwork is a powerful medium for building self-esteem and confidence. Children feel a deep sense of achievement when they master new skills and take pride in their creations. By working with real tools, they gain a sense of responsibility and independence, which fosters a ‘can-do’ attitude and a belief that they can shape their world (Moorhouse, 2021).

At Kate Greenaway, woodworking aligns with the Characteristics of Effective Learning:

• Playing and exploring – Children investigate, experiment, and ‘have a go.’
• Active learning – They concentrate, persist through challenges, and enjoy their achievements.
• Creating and thinking critically – They develop their own ideas, make connections, and refine their designs.

Through woodworking, children not only engage in a deeply enriching and purposeful activity but also develop essential life skills that will support them across all areas of learning. We are excited to offer this opportunity and look forward to seeing the wonderful creations and confidence it inspires!