At the Miami Children Museum’s Early Childhood Institute, we introduce children to woodworking by inviting them to build a relationship with the material. It is more than just a resource; it’s a metaphor for growth. Children engage in activities where they can manipulate wooden pieces, allowing them to see how wood, much like themselves, continually evolves. Paper, cardboard, and sawdust are extensions of wood. It is a tool for exploration and creativity, transforming just as the children do in their learning journey at our school.  

While most people think of woodworking as assembly, we expand that notion. Our teachers intentionally incorporate wood into their lessons, as seen in the woodworking curriculum web shown above. In this activity, children experimented with painting with liquid watercolors on raw wood panels and blocks. They observed how the water absorbed into the wood grain, then began to color it with oil pastels—leaving behind various marks and illustrations. Children had the option of picking out their pieces of wood from among various sizes—small, medium, and large. 

Whether it’s using wood as a surface for drawing, an altar for displaying their work, or on the handle of the paintbrush they so eagerly hold in their hands, children learn that wood is a versatile medium that offers infinite creative opportunities.  

Photographs courtesy of the authors
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