Whittling is a lovely activity that allows the children to hone their tool skills. We work towards this stage gradually, ensuring children are confident in their ability and can follow instructions precisely. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of learning whilst minimising the risk. Today they were working on wands. Starting with green sticks that slice cleanly and smoothly, moving onto drier wood, with bark, where patience is needed to carve the form.
Whilst the wand whittling was going on others created sticks of coloured twine that will be suspended together to make mobiles.
Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Article 6 – We all have the right to be alive and develop in the best possible way.
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- Always running the knife away from the body, using the lap to form a brace.
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- Turning the stick to work away at the wood.
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- Wrapping the sticks with coloured twine.
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- Using the ground to create a brace.
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- Adding a fine point.
