Wee Gems Broxburn at the end of last 2020 decided to embark on a journey to introduce a woodwork/ tool bench in the preschool room. Introducing the woodwork experience took a lot of research the team and I ensured we involved the children in the process as much as possible. At Wee Gems Broxburn we strive to support our children to become confident and responsible individuals. There is something special about woodwork. It is so different from other activities. ‘The feel of wood, using real tools, working with a natural material, the sounds of hammering and sawing, hands and minds working together to express their imagination and to solve problems, the use of strength and coordination: all go together to captivate young children’s interest’ (Pete Moorhouse, PACEY 2019).

To begin with we looked at the benefits of having a woodwork bench in the room Pete Moorhouse suggests from his experience that children engaged well with the activity and learnt many new skills. At Wee Gems Broxburn we encourage children to assess their own risk and this activity allows them to this in many ways. The woodwork bench also teaches them to follow simple instructions around using tools and how to stay safe. It also helps to develop both their fine and gross motor skills and introduces mathematical language. Woodwork provides another media through which children can express themselves. Creative and critical thinking skills are central both in terms of imagination and problem-solving as children make choices, find solutions, learn through trial, and error and reflect on their work.

Our Journey began with speaking to the staff about introducing the woodwork bench at first all of them were anxious and nervous, Kerry our preschool team leader explained ‘I’m nervous about the children using real tools in the nursery’ other staff commented ‘I’m worried about them getting hurt and listening to the rules’. We encouraged the staff to access a woodwork in the early years website to learn about implementing the woodwork bench.

Then we spoke to our preschool children, we started off with discussions around what tools are and who uses them at home. Some of them said ‘it’s just the big people who use them’ another said, ‘in my house daddy has a hammer.’ We then with the help of the children set up the area and created a risk benefit form. We asked them what rules they would need to follow some of the suggestions were ‘be careful and watch fingers’ another suggestion was ‘use your listening ears’ ‘hats on your head to stay safe’ and another said, ‘stay in the hoop’.

Finally, it was they opening day we shared our journey with the parents and then it was time! The children were all super excited to take part the first activity was hammering golf tees into a melon. Once it was over, they couldn’t wait to tell their parents and we received some wonderful feedback.

One parent told us their child said ‘Yeah it was aaaamazing!!! Although the goggles hurt my nose, they squished it BUT I still had a really good time!’

Written by Gillian Cullen

Manager of Wee Gems Broxburn