Seedlings: Tools in the Classroom
Over the past four months our seedlings have been hard at work developing their concentration and hand-eye coordination. We have noticed an interest in tools, whether it was working with the tool box, object-picture tool matching works, or reading books about tools. Now we are practicing using various tool works like the drill and screw board, which are found on the practical life shelf.
Initially, the children are given a lesson one on one and are then free to choose the work as they please. We have seen children sit with these works for an extended period of time, tightening the screws and taking them out again.
The screw board work requires concentration and patience to get all four screws into the board. It is great for hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Once children have mastered this work, we will bring in the next work in the series which has the same screwdriver, but different sized screws. It is fun to watch the children walk around the classroom with the screwdriver and check to see if anything in the classroom needs to be fixed.
“He does it with his hands, by experience, first play and then through work. The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.” Maria Montessori
