The Benefits of a Classroom Maker Space
Do you have a classroom Maker Space?
Some teachers have a Makerspace, others have a Box Construction Area, you might even have a Collage Table or even a Creation Station. It does not matter what you call it. Whichever label you give to this hands-on learning area is not important. What’s important is that you have one!!
There are many benefits of a classroom maker space.
A Maker Space is a place where children can combine boxes and other collage materials together into three dimensional projects. It’s a dedicated classroom space where your children can develop their creativity and thinking skills. Every preschool, kindergarten and early years classroom should have one.
Your Maker Space is not just a place to foster creativity and develop higher order thinking skills. A classroom Maker Space has many beneficial learning outcomes. Read on to discover the 8 main benefits of having a Maker Space (or whatever you want to call it) in your classroom.
A Maker Space…
Enhances Creative Thinking Skills
Creative thinking is the ability to look at things differently and with an open mindset. Did you know that research indicates this important skill enhances a child’s ability to learn? The Australian Curriculum defines creative thinking as students being able to, generate and apply new ideas in specific contexts, seeing existing situations in a new way, identifying alternative explanations, and seeing or making new links that generate a positive outcome. At the Maker Space, children are empowered to develop their creative thinking skills as they explore all the different ways to use the collage materials.
Teaches Social Skills
Working in the Maker Space requires children to cooperate with their peers to not only construct collaborative projects but to also share and take turns with the tools and resources. This process develops social skills as they work together to achieve shared goals and learn to negotiate the space and the resources. A Maker Space will help to create a strong classroom community.
Builds Problem-solving Skills and Resilience
When children are working on a project in the Maker Space, they experiment and learn about successful construction methods and those which don’t work. Through the trial-and-error processes of experimentation, they become flexible and resilient problem solvers. The opportunities to build resilience and problem-solving skills in the Maker Space helps to teach children to see themselves as capable learners.
Strengthens Self-esteem
During the investigative and constructive play of the Maker Space, children have the freedom to set a goal for a project. They choose the materials required to achieve their project goal and they have the freedom to experiment and discover the best strategy to reach their goal. Each child has total control over their whole project. This empowering feeling helps children to feel positive about themselves and builds their self-esteem.
Develops Motor Skills
As children construct their creative projects, both fine motor and gross motor skills are developed. Every part of their body is required to move as they walk, sit, stretch, grab, cut, glue, draw, paint, write and manipulate all the Maker Space tools. Fine motor and gross motor skills are developed and refined as they navigate the space and the resources.
Develops Literacy Skills
Children will be exposed to a variety of environmental print in your Maker Space. To encourage early literacy skills, the children can make labels and signs for the area. Including Maker Space texts for the children to read and gain inspiration from also develops literacy skills. The inclusion of craft posters or task cards which outline the materials and procedures for children’s craft projects is another way literacy skills are developed in a Maker Space..
If you would like some ideas for Maker Space texts, check out this blog post: 5 Picture Books for Your Classroom Maker Space
As children discuss their projects, negotiate the use of tools and materials, and collaborate on group projects, they will be developing their oral language too. One of the benefits of implementing a play-based pedagogy is the increase in oral language development you will see. Research suggests that teachers can expect significant developmental growth (up to 4 times that seen in traditional classrooms) of oral language skills in the children of investigative play classrooms.
Develops Math Concepts and Skills
Math skills and concepts are introduced, practised, and revised in a Maker Space. Children develop their spatial awareness and measurement skills as they manipulate and combine the materials in a Maker Space. They will be constructing and covering 3D shapes and objects, measuring strings and ribbon, estimating surface areas, and learning about the properties of 2D and 3D shapes.
Early numeracy skills like counting, estimating, and sorting are consistently practised as children plan, create, and evaluate their constructions in a Maker Space. There are many opportunities for authentic numeracy in the classroom Maker Space. Children quickly see the importance of mathematics in their lives, and it gives them the motivation to improve their mathematical skills.
Develops Science Concepts and Skills
Scientific inquiry skills like identifying and posing questions; planning, conducting, and reflecting on their creative constructions; processing, analysing, and interpreting evidence; and communicating their findings are fostered in a Maker Space. Scientific skills are crucial for learning at school and in the community.
Free Maker Space Posters
Would you like these 8 amazing benefits displayed in your Maker Space? If you would like your classroom visitors to learn why it is so important to have this creative investigation area in your classroom, you can download a FREE set of informative posters from my FREE Resource library HERE.
If you are interested in how to set up your very own classroom Maker Space (we call it the box construction area), you might be interested in checking out this blog post : How to Introduce Cardboard Box Construction I think you will like this blog post because it suggests some useful materials to add to your Maker space and explains a classroom lesson I have had success with to introduce this wonderful investigation center in my classroom.
Looking to set up a beautiful Maker Space in your classroom?
Check out this display pack!
THIS MAKERSPACE PACK CONTAINS:
Makerspace Banner Sign
Comprehensive list of materials for your Makerspace
EDITABLE Letter to send home asking for boxes and other useful recyclables
Large Box construction sign
Planning worksheet
68 illustrated Makerspace vocabulary cards illustrated with photo images—tile print these cards to make a Word Wall and turn them into resource labels to keep your area tidy and organised.
4 EDITABLE Makerspace vocabulary cards
Large Work in Progress Label
2 Small Work in Progress signs
Information Poster for parents and educators
8 inspirational Poster quotes
16 Makerspace prompt cards
Maker space vocabulary cards
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