Unit 1: Tools and Crafts
We have provided you will a series of key documents for you to read that aim to support your practical delivery.
Our Level 3 training aims to equip you will key skills that enable you to safely support the young people to use tools creatively, look after the tools and themselves. Many tools use wood for crafting, so you need to find appropriate sources of wood – either that you source from your site, other places or buy in.
Our coppicing and pruning document helps you to cut wood safely and consider the impact you are having on the land – you may for example be able to introduce coppicing to enable a regenerative way of growing wood for your site. You need to consider the different properties of the wood, if it is poisonous or not – particularly if what you are making may be used for cooking or a young child may put it in their mouths – all things that your risk benefit assessment may consider.
Perhaps you don’t have lots of experience! All you need from our perspective is be willing to learn, make mistakes, reflect and improve your practice. Jon Cree from Bishop’s wood Centre has created two really useful documents ‘Tool User Level Indicator Level’ and ‘Timber Uses’ – both highly recommended to refer to and consider during your practices.
Using Knives & Secateurs
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In this video we go through our ‘knife protocol’. We want to draw your attention to the introduction to this module and for you to take time to consider again how your staff, group and individuals are in relation to the following 4 main categories of skills and understanding.
Strength & Stamina – how much a child applies and adjusts force; their grip to secure items and their ability to sustain movement and effort. The second is Dexterity & Co-ordination – this includes hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, accuracy and efficiency and 3D manipulation. The third is General Safety including awareness of self and others and finally Tool Design, Maintenance and Law. This includes knowledge of tool function and design and how this applies to its use, legalities of tool use, cleaning and maintenance.
These 4 categories help you to think through the support you and your group may need when using knives. Always follow your risk benefit assessment in relation to your control measures, and model the behaviour you expect from your children. They will always follow what you do!