The Shed

Welcome to ‘The Shed’

A place where the children can put their building skills to use as they explore a range of tools to bring their creations to life. Our fully supervised woodwork room encourages children to assess risks and make safe decisions.

It is more important now than ever that children have opportunities to solve problems and overcome challenges with trial and error. Engaging in construction with tools offers a valuable opportunity for risky play, allowing children to challenge themselves and develop confidence and skills with new materials.

The Shed will encourage children to participate in activities where they can use hammers and nails, use a saw to cut wood, using screws and a screw driver, practicing measurement and mathematic concepts, and completing small woodwork projects that can be completed over time.Construction and woodwork incorporates all aspects of learning including STEM, physical coordination, language skills, collaboration and team work.

Children can experiment and tinker with real tools and materials building on their critical thinking, crafting and designing skills. With the careful guidance of adults, children will take on exciting woodwork projects where they will feel a sense of achievement with their completed work.

The Shed is an inclusive space within our Sage Centre that encourages children to connect with each other and the world around them, nurturing curiosity, independence, and creative thinking.

The Shed and Risky Play

Experiencing risk in a controlled environment allows children to learn the necessary skills to manage risks when they occur in real life situations. If children are only offered safe situations they may not learn how to manage risk or challenges later in life.

General Benefits:

  • An opportunity to participate in a risky activity and learn about how to participate safely

  • Promoting the valuable skills of tradespeople which may become a future interest and career path for children.

  • Overcoming challenges: mental stimulation with learning new things

  • Supporting children’s natural curiosity with how things work and how things are made

  • Learning about how to safely use tools that may be found in every household

  • A sense of achievement and accomplishment when they successfully use tools to complete tasks and projects.

  • Risky play encourages children to try new things and develop a ‘can do’ attitude

  • Risky play supports children in developing resilience and independence and confidence with their abilities

  • Support children with life skills such as decision making, problem solving and assessing risks in their environment.

  • Hands on learning: promoting reduced screen time

Developmental benefits:

  • Fine motor skills

  • Hand eye coordination

  • Critically thinking skills

  • Problem solving

  • Attention to detail

  • Extending attention span and concentration skills

  • Social skills: working on projects with others, teamwork and cooperation

  • Communication skills: listening and following instructions