Conceptual Awareness About Tools

The Beginnings Workshop "Tools" in the September/October issue of Exchange, looked at the many ways we can use tools to support children's learning.  In one of the articles, "Learning to Use Tools and Learning through Tools:  Brain Development and Tool Use," Kirsten Haugen talked about building children's conceptual awareness of tools:

"Using tools also involves planning, sequential thinking, and predicting what specific actions with a tool might do.  With time and experience, we learn to apply what we know about a tool to new uses and to other tools.  Once we’ve experienced how to scoop up applesauce with a spoon, it’s not a far leap to scoop up cereal or to imagine what one can do with a shovel.  Talking about what we do as we use tools, asking questions, or making suggestions can help children develop greater conceptual awareness about tools:

• I wonder what else we could use to move that rock?
• What would happen if you tried cutting that piece before you put on the glue?
• Have you ever tried holding the camera like this?  Maybe it won’t shake so much when you take the picture.
• I sometimes hold the nail with pliers so I don’t bang my fingers.
• I tried using the blender without the top once.  Oh, what a mess!  And I think it was dangerous, too!

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