This month the children in School-age 3 at RisingOaks Early Learning | John Sweeney, have been enjoying using glue guns. This activity allows the children to explore a more advanced crafting tool allowing them to feel more confident in their abilities. The children have demonstrated many different ways to use the glue guns to make crafts. Some have been using the glue guns for gluing popsicle sticks and other materials, some make 2D shapes and letters and some have even created 3D sculptures. Using glue guns is great for children's growth in fine motor skills, leadership skills, and engagement.
Using the glue gun encourages the children to step outside their comfort zone and use a tool that may be seen as “for grown-ups”. It is important to educate children on the importance of safety with tools like this but also that there is no need to be scared if they use it properly. Providing children with glue gun mats and a decent and clean work space can make it easier for the children to perform safely.
There has been an abundance of creativity seen from the things the children have been able to make with the glue guns. The children began with making different sculptures and characters out of popsicle sticks, feathers, foam pieces and paper. Julia provided an idea of building mini sleds and then had the children race them in real snow. Some children created shapes using just glue. They could make name plaques and other charm symbols using just the glue. One child began gluing beads together to make small trophies and statues. This started a trend where the children would discuss their statues and offer advice to one another.
A few of the children took on a teaching role by showing their friends how they made different things. The children would show patience and sharing skills by using one glue gun between two children. When children take on the role as the leader it builds on their feelings of engagement. “When children initiate experiences, generate ideas, plan, problem-solve, make meaningful choices, and act spontaneously through play, they are more likely to be happy and get along well with others” (HDLH, 2014). As stated in the framework How Does Learning Happen, it is important for children to go through the motions of belonging, well-being, engagement and expression to grow and learn in the classroom.
