Wood is a natural material that comes directly from trees, including wood rounds, tree stumps and trunks, sticks, twigs and branches. Timber is processed wood that is ready to build with.
Both wood and timber make excellent loose parts and older children can participate in woodwork activities.
EYLF learning outcomes
Wood and timber can be used in the Early Years Learning Framework. Children benefit from connecting with natural materials (4.4) that nurture respect for the environment (2.4).
Wooden loose parts encourage curiosity, imagination, creativity (4.1), problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating (4.2).
Learning experiences
Play with sticks
Children can be taught to play safely with sticks. They make incredible, affordable and versatile toys!
Go for a nature walk and collect small sticks. Find ideas for learning experiences about sticks on Edly.
Draw growth rings
When children play with tree stumps or wooden rounds, they may observe growth rings. Read Tree rings provide snapshots of Earth's past climate by NASA.
Encourage children to draw growth rings. Provide black, fine-tipped pens which are great for drawing intricate details. Also, provide a magnifying glass so children can observe the rings closely.
Build with timber offcuts
Provide children with timber offcuts to use as building blocks. Ask families, local carpenters and woodworking groups if they have scrap timber pieces they can donate. However, be careful of splinters and rough surfaces.
Learning environments
Establish a woodwork area
Preschool children can be involved with woodwork activities. Educators and parents may be immediately concerned about safety (and this is still important!), but many early childhood programs around the world successfully and safely include the use of real tools.
Children can be introduced to a variety of handheld woodworking tools - hammers, drills, small saws, nails and sandpaper.
- Start slowly with safer tools, like sandpaper
- Define clear classroom rules. Write them down and remind children regularly.
- Limit the number of children at your woodwork bench and maintain adequate supervision.
- Teach children to care for and respect their tools.
- Teach children how to use tools correctly.
- Help children when they need it (e.g. starting the nails for them).
Add wooden household items
The use of wooden furniture and toys is becoming more mainstream in early childhood settings. Consider adding wooden household items to your play areas too:
Beads, bird houses, bowls, boxes, clocks, coat hangers, chopping boards, drink coasters, ornaments, serving spoons, and trays.
These items can often be found cheaply in second-hand stores. Also, ask for donations from families. Look for old, used items rather than purchasing new products.
Talk to children about what the items are made from, where wood comes from, and why it is a sustainable material.