Nursery World - Woodwork

What we in the UK can learn from how other countries around the world – the USA, Japan, New Zealand and the Nordics – approach woodwork. Pete Moorhouse reports

In Japan, having autonomy in woodwork teaches the children self-regulation and self-care

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust aims to transform aspects of adults’ or children’s lives in the UK by enabling individuals to learn from best practice abroad. Thanks to a Churchill Fellowship, I have been able to visit top-quality overseas provision for woodwork in the early years, and here I want to share my experiences and reflections on what really contributes to best practice.

I chose to visit New Zealand, the USA, Japan and Nordic countries, where I visited nurseries, schools and universities and met with teachers, academics and policy-makers.

My overriding impression is what an amazing community early childhood is. It is hard to imagine being welcomed in such a generous manner by any other sector. Educators in each country all made time to share their provision and passion for everything early years.

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