The workshop is an amazing area for our children to work in.  Our whānau collect wood from a local business and bring resources from home.  Children come to the workshop with a wide range of abilities, and they show a sense of achievement in producing a piece of work.

In the carpentry area, we see tuakana teina, where children learn from more knowledgeable others, or older children teach our younger children.They can be the learner or the teacher! The children are learning with and alongside others.  They are learning strategies for turn taking, problem-solving, negotiating and building relationships.  They develop an appreciation of how they and their whānau can contribute to group projects.

Phoenix said, “I make tools for building.  We don’t have these things at home, when I grow up I’m going to be a builder.”

Our parents also enjoy the pieces the children make; “It’s amazing that the children get the opportunity to use real tools.  I’m sure our ladder will come in handy at home!”