Tiny Tools, Big Ideas: How Woodwork Is Shaping Young Minds at Bangkok Patana
With saws and sandpaper in hand..
In a sunlit corner of Bangkok Patana School’s Foundation Stage, a group of preschoolers huddle around child-sized workbenches, goggles snug on their faces, tiny hands gripping real tools. They are building as they play and in the process, they are learning far more than how to hammer a nail.
Woodwork, once considered too risky or too advanced for early years education, is now a cornerstone of Bangkok Patana’s hands-on learning philosophy. The initiative began with a simple observation: children thrive when given real materials and meaningful tasks. Educational consultant Kym Scott, during a visit to the school, identified woodwork as a powerful tool for fostering creativity, resilience, and problem-solving in young learners.
The school didn’t have to look far for a champion. Nadia Arifs, an early years teacher with a passion for experiential learning, had long been intrigued by the cognitive benefits of woodwork. Inspired by its potential, she enrolled in specialist training with Pete Moorhouse, a leading figure in early years woodwork education. His course, delivered through Irresistible Learning, emphasised the developmental richness of working with real tools — from spatial reasoning to emotional regulation.
Back at Patana, collaboration with the Design+Technology team helped transform theory into practice. Together, they designed a safe, developmentally appropriate woodwork space: child-sized benches, soft balsa wood, safety gear and a rigorous risk assessment. Sessions are conducted in small groups, with accredited teachers guiding children through the process, not toward a product, but toward discovery.
The results have been quietly revolutionary.
One child at the age of ?, determined to build a car, carefully measured and cut wood to size, later sharing his technique with a peer. His father reported that the finished car remains proudly displayed at home, a symbol of effort, pride and learning. Another child, at the age of four, spent over forty minutes immersed in his project before asking, “Ms Nadia, tomorrow, can I do more? I want to do it for my mummy.”
These moments, says Nadia, are what make the programme so powerful. “It’s not just about making things,” she explains, “It’s about children feeling capable, creative and connected.”
The conversations in the woodwork area are just as telling. “Zara, you don’t have to copy… You can make whatever you want!” said Hailey, age four. Zara replied, “I also like boats, but I’m not going to make it today.” These exchanges reflect a growing sense of agency and individuality, qualities that Patana nurtures across its curriculum.
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 academic year, the school plans to expand woodwork as part of its STEAM provision. More educators will be trained, and bespoke equipment is now being produced by suppliers in Thailand, paving the way for more ambitious projects.
In a world that increasingly values innovation, collaboration and adaptability, Bangkok Patana’s youngest learners are already practicing these skills with saws and sandpaper in hand. Woodwork at Patana is no longer a novelty. It’s a statement, that children, even at three or four years old, are capable of extraordinary things when given the right tools, the right guidance and the freedom to explore.
