"One of the most important practical aspects of our method has been to make the training of the muscles enter into the very life of the children so that it is intimately connected with their daily activities."
—Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
Only the rare primary Montessori classroom has a work bench or woodworking tools in the Practical Life area. Some teachers who consider themselves "not handy" are unsure about teaching a skill that they do not feel accomplished in. Others may avoid introducing these activities because of a lack of space or the noise that pounding exercises make.
However, by working with tools, children learn coordination and concentration as well as valuable practical skills. Some simple ways to include these activities in your classroom follow.
Even the youngest child can begin to learn the skills of a carpenter by hammering, drilling, sawing, manipulating screws, or sanding. Most children are fascinated with any such activity being done around home or school, and often spend time watching and asking questions of the workers. This interest transfers to a desire to do the same.
Before using real tools, the child can develop the needed coordination and interest by using a wooden mallet to hammer tees into clay or pegs into a toy cobbler's bench. By manipulating nuts and bolts or working with the bolt boards, children learn how screws work before the introduction of the screwdriver or vise. Use matching games, group lessons or books to introduce the names of tools, their uses, and safety principles.
Choose an outdoor location or a corner of the classroom for your tree stump or large log (well-aged, with wood soft enough for successful hammering, available from your local tree service or firewood company). You'll need safety glasses (for both you and the child), a hammer (7 or 8 ounces in weight with tape on the handle marking where to grasp), a small box with several large-headed nails (roofing nails work well), and a toolbox or tray to hold all the equipment. For safety reasons, this activity is initially kept in the teacher's cupboard rather than on the open shelf.
Remember, children seldom have an end result in mind as they enjoy the action and repetition of the exercise. Concentration and coordination are improving. This activity is especially suited for the active child who is in need of large-muscle activities.
As children perfect their skills and mature, they might help with small repair tasks at school such as screwing in a hook or latch, hammering a loose fence post, or helping to build a birdfeeder or birdhouse. Parent volunteers or special teachers might work with one or two children on a project. The extensions include many other activities such as drawing plans, gathering supplies, measuring, drilling, gluing and clamping, leveling, and squaring off corners. (Many ideas are included in the woodworking books on our website.)
As always, develop your lesson around what you wish the children to learn. Practice first to be certain everything works successfully. Tools are child-size, but real. Demonstrate the process carefully and precisely, keeping all the safety issues in mind. Lessons should include the use of safety glasses for all woodworking exercises as well as the proper care and storage of the tools.
Like all of the Practical Life exercises, woodworking helps children develop skills and a sense of accomplishment. Indeed, they are learning how to live and be responsible in both the classroom and the world.
—by Jane M. Jacobs, M.A., Montessori Educational Consultant at Montessori Services. She is a trained primary Montessori directress and also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has taught children aged 2 to 7 years in Montessori schools, Headstart, and also in a preschool for children with developmental challenges. In her counseling practice, she helps individuals, couples, and families.
—Originally Published 2012
