The Wonders of Woodworking

What?? Young children using hammers... saws... drills!?!

​ Yes! Woodworking is a wonderful learning activity that supports whole-child development.

Here are some of the many benefits that woodworking provides:
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• Cognitive/Intellectual: a whole brain activity that provides young children with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) resources and the means to become makers, tinkerers, and engineers through mathematical thinking, creativity, problem solving skills, and fostering imagination.
• ​Social/Emotional: Sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, competence, responsibility, respect for self and others, respect for materials and safety. Builds children's self-image, self-esteem, self-confidence and self-sufficiency.
• Physical: Gross motor strength, eye-hand coordination, and fine motor control.
• Sensory: Stimulates the senses with the smell and feel of the wood, the dusty friction of sanding something smooth, the contrast of warm wood and cold metal, and provides proprioceptive input to the muscles and joints.

Check out our woodworking projects to see how the children safely worked with materials and gained a sense of power and competence in this truly dynamic learning experience! Their focus, determined concentration, and celebration of learning new skills was truly inspiring!!

​Last month the children were delighted as we introduced them to some basic woodworking skills through hammering pumpkins and pecans, sanding wood, and using wood glue to create unique sculptures in our unit block on trees. Their enthusiasm inspired us to go more deeply into the woodworking process . This is an excellent example of how a natural curriculum emerges in response to the children's interests.

We began with simple projects that helped the children learn to use the tools safely and effectively:
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Geoboards!

A geoboard is a fun mathematical manipulative used to explore basic concepts in plane geometry such as perimeter, area, and the characteristics of triangles and other polygons.

To make our geoboards we used a ruler to measure out the space we wanted our nails to be, made dots, and hammered our nails on top of the dots. Then simply added rubber bands to make shapes.

How to use a hammer safely:
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• Hold the hammer firmly on the lower part of the handle.
• Hold the nail towards the top of the nail to avoid hitting your thumb.

​The claw of the hammer is used to remove unwanted nails.

Name Blocks!

To make our Name Blocks we sanded them smooth, then picked out the letters of our name and safely hammered them into the block.

Counting Blocks!

To make our Counting Blocks we measured out how to space our nails evenly, marked those spots with a dot, and then nailed on the dots. Once the nails were in we added numbers.  We used paper clips to help us count and then used them to explore addition and subtraction.

​This is a clamp.  The clamp holds the wood safely so it doesn't move when we hammer, saw, or drill. To use the clamp screw the handle until the wood is tight.

Boats!

We made these simple boats with 4 inch blocks of wood. We sanded the rough edges until they were smooth, made a sail, drilled a hole for our sail, then oiled our boats with olive oil to protect them from water.

​This is a hand drill.  Hand drills are much more safe than electric drills as they move a lot slower but they are still very effective tools and they still require safety precautions.

How to use a drill safely:
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• a drill is like a little spinning knife and it's purpose is to drill holes through materials
• always wear safety glasses
• always use 2 hands on the drill
• hold drill straight
• press lightly, let the drill bit do the work

Use drill bits carefully and respectfully.

This is an awl. Awls are used to make starter holes so it's easier to drill. We also used the awl to make holes for our sails. The awl has a sharp point so use awls carefully and be aware of the point.

​"My boat floats!"

Airplanes!

To make our airplanes we used a ruler to measure out different lengths of wood, used a square to make a straight guide line, sawed our wood pieces, sanded our wood pieces, made starter holes with the awl, drilled starter holes for the nails, nailed our pieces together, and decorated our planes.

​This is a saw. A saw cuts wood.  A saw has a handle and a blade with teeth. To use a saw safely:

• Only hold the handle, the blade and the teeth are sharp.
• Use a clamp or a vice to secure the wood.
• Make sure your saw is sharp and clean.
• Make a guide line on the wood so you know exactly where your cut will be made.
• Wear safety glasses.
• Start sawing slowly. Apply pressure to the saw as you push downward on the cut, but release pressure as you pull the saw back toward yourself. Find your rhythm. Getting into a steady rhythm as you saw will help you slice through the materials.

Sewing Sticks!

To make our sewing sticks we first made our sewing thread by cutting some yard and putting tape on the ends so it will sew back and forth through the holes easily. Then we measured our sticks with a ruler, made a straight guide line with the square, sawed our wood, sanded our wood, drilled the sewing holes into the stick, decorated the sticks, and practiced our sewing skills.

​While the older children measured out an arm's length of yarn, the younger kids enjoyed practicing their cutting skills.

This tool is called a square (even though it is the shape of a triangle!!).
It is used to make straight guide lines on wood for cutting.

HERE'S TO STRONG WOMEN.
MAY WE KNOW THEM.
MAY WE BE THEM.
MAY WE RAISE THEM.

The decoration part of the woodworking projects allows for more creativity and individual expression in the pieces!

Baby Dolls!

To make our baby dolls, we used a ruler to measure out different lengths of wood, a square to make straight guide lines, a vice to clamp the wood, sawed the wood, sanded the wood, drilled holes for the nails, nailed the different parts of our doll together, and decorated our baby dolls.

Wood Carving!

We used a variety of carving knives and tools to get some beginner's experience in whittling.  We started with the most basic and safest technique which is to:
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• Hold the knife in one hand and the wood in the other.
• Make sweeping cuts away from your body, along the grain of the wood.
• Lead the knife slightly sideways to give the best cutting technique.

​"I made an iguanodon tooth!"

​"I made a birdie!"

Annual Fundraiser!

Every year we have a fundraiser to support Austin Children's Garden in continuing to flourish as an enriching, creative, thriving, and very, very special place for children to learn and grow.  Inspired by the children's enthusiasm and growth with the focus on woodworking this month we ask our community to help make our dream of a Maker Space Tinkering Shed become a reality!!

Over the winter break we hope to transform our historic outdoor building (built in 1895!) into an awesome and inspirational Maker Space Tinkering Shed for the kids.  Please contribute to our GoFundMe page: 

​www.gofundme.com/maker-space-for-acg

Or donate directly toward the following items:

Child sized work bench (like this one from Community Playthings)
2 sturdy worktables with adjustable legs for different aged groups (like these!)
3-D lazer printer
Free standing stainless steel sink
Electric kiln
Small pottery wheel
Clamp lights
Wood storage shelves
Wall tool storage system
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Let's turn this beautiful historic outdoor building into a creative maker and tinkering space so we have a safe and equipped environment to take small groups of children for age appropriate maker adventures!

Besides woodworking the kids had several other fun projects this month!

Nutcrackers!

Our pecan trees have been abundant with delicious fresh pecans this year and the kids loved using a variety of tools to enjoy them!

​"I did it!"

November is a natural time to focus on love and gratitude with Thanksgiving and all the time with family the holiday brings so we had many different projects that helped us identify and express what we love and what we are most grateful for.

​Turkey Tails for Turkey Tag

We made our turkey tails by decorating clothespins with feathers and writing out something that we love and appreciate. Then we clipped them on our bodies and tried to tag our friends by pulling on their turkey tail.

The Thankful Pumpkin

To make our Thankful Pumpkin we took turns writing or drawing what we are thankful for on the pumpkin. It makes a great centerpiece for the dining table!

Gratitude Yoga!

We love this gentle yoga flow with this sweet poem that inspires gratitude for the earth and each other.

​I bow to mother earth

​I lift to father sky

​I open to the sun

and the clouds floating by

​I welcome the rain

that flows to the sea

​I honor the kindness

​in you

and in me!

Gratitude Game!

Pick Up Sticks with a gratitude twist.

Alphabet Work!

Learning the letter D through form drawing.

Hola Yoga!

"Star Pose"
​"La Estrella"

"Airplane Pose"
​"El Vuelo"

"Boat Pose"
​"La Barca"

Conscious Discipline

Pretzel Breath - it's one of the trickiest ones to master but it's so wonderfully effective at calming the mind and feeling peaceful.  A good way to learn the arm cross is to:

• Hold your arms out straight with the backs of your hands facing each other
• Clasp your hands together and bring them towards you
• Nuzzle your hands against your chest and take a deep breath

If crossing the arms is too difficult, it's still very helpful to simply hold your hands together and focus on your breathing.

Healthy Snacks and Lunches!

Check out our previous blog Amazing Garden Carrot Cake for one of our fave recipes!

Watercolors!

Peanut Puppets!

Music Class!

Science Experiments!

Sweet Friends!

See you next time!