Junk Modelling and the EYFS
What is Junk Modelling?
When we think about our childhood, we remember play time very fondly. The idea of using all kinds of items in order to experiment and innovate was always fun, and children nowadays are able to do the same things with junk modeling.
Understanding what is junk modeling is a good idea because junk modelling brings joy to children helps them adapt and create new things the way they want.
What is Junk Modelling?
At its core, junk modeling is simple.
It’s an act of offering recycled materials to children who can then use them to create all kinds of things. What’s great is that all those items that were donated are mostly items that wouldn’t have been used anymore.
In fact, most junk modeling materials are items we might find worthless, yet they become very valuable to our children.
They get the freedom to create pretty much anything they want. Using glue or tape to work with yoghurt pots, toilet rolls or cereal boxes is an amazing activity for kids, and one that encourages them to create and also have fun.
What makes junk modeling different?
Junk modeling is quite different to any other arts and crafts activity.
Unlike regular activities, junk modeling has a non-direct nature for both resources and materials. All these resources are open ended, and kids can easily choose to combine them in any way they want.
They have a great freedom when it comes to adapting these materials to their needs. And since there’s no shortage of junk modeling ideas, you can rest assured this is an incredible, fun and very engaging activity to try out.
The main benefits of junk modeling
One of the core advantages of junk modeling is that you have a cross-curricular and creative activity for kids of all ages. Being able to create anything you want can help train gross and fine motor skills.
Children get a sense of freedom which is not available in the case of most arts and crafts projects. In those cases, you need to follow certain steps and guidelines. But with junk modeling you are not restricted in any way. Instead, it becomes the core focus of the activities. Children can turn trash into treasure, and learn a lot along the way too.
Another benefit of junk modeling is that it helps bring in higher level thinking in the mind of a child. They get to conceptualize, question their approach and see if they can improve. They become scientists in their own way, while trying out new things and adapting.
Junk modeling is also very helpful from a STEM education standpoint. It encourages kids to learn more about the various properties of day-to-day items. They get to see things like wood, paper, metal, plastic or cardboard from a new perspective. Going hands-on makes the entire process better, and with so many junk modeling ideas out there, the sky is the limit.
Every junk modeling activity encourages kids to test those junk modeling materials and see how they work, what properties they have and so on. In doing so, kids get to create unique projects that take advantage of those properties. It’s all about innovating and coming up with all kinds of creative ideas.
Conclusion
Junk modeling is an exceptional way for kids to learn more about materials and how they work. In addition, junk modeling resources need to be classified and properly managed, a task that helps children better understand how everything works.
However, it’s also very important to ensure that the junk modeling activities are safe. Keeping any dangerous materials away from children is extremely important, otherwise it can lead to injuries.
Ideally, any of the junk modeling materials should not be sharp or toxic. Cleaning those materials properly is also very important, since it helps eliminate any issues that can arise!
