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In the years since the program’s inception, we have a new school building. It includes a covered patio that leads out to the playground. This is where the Grandpas now sit at the workbenches and build with the children. They can even build in the rain �" unless it is raining very hard �" and there are ceiling fans that make life much more tolerable in Houston’s heat and humidity. A shed, which opens onto the patio, is a place for the Grandpas to store their supplies so they are readily accessible.

Tools

The hammers that are used are 13-ounce claw hammers. At first some of the men thought that the hammers should be lighter in weight, since the children at that time were all 3 and 4 years old. They suggested using 8-ounce hammers. However, it soon became evident that the lighter hammers just bounced off the nails rather than driving the nails into the wood, so it is actually easier for the children to be successful with the heavier hammers. The children adapt to them quite easily. We have recently discovered 8-ounce ‘stubby hammers’ with very short handles. The children are really enjoying these and get better leverage with them. Most of the nails used are No. 4 common nails. This is generally the best size for the children to handle and to keep the projects together. The wood must be soft enough to enable the children to drive nails into it and must not splinter easily. White pine is a good choice. Many businesses and lumber yards will donate scrap wood; dads involved in cabinetry and “do it yourself” projects are also often willing to donate scraps. If some of the donated wood is too hard to hammer into, the pieces can be used for gluing and making wood sculptures.

The workbenches are about 8 feet long, 17 inches high, and 28 inches wide. Four or five Grandpas can work at a bench at one time one-on-one with a child.

The program

We offer Monday-Tuesday (2 day), Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, (3 day), Wednesday-Thursday-Friday (3 day), and 5-day classes at the school for children ages 3 through kindergarten. In order to be able to work with all the children, the men come to the school two days each month, on a Tuesday and Thursday. At the beginning ofeach school year, I send the coordinating Grandpa a schedule of ‘Grandpa Dates,’ which he distributes to each of the men on the team. He also makes a reminder call a day or two before the next scheduled date. Typically, the teachers let the men know which classes are to build on a particular day and the men then go to the designated classrooms and take the children, one by one, out to the patio to build. At the same time the construction is happening, other teachers and children are on the playground. Floater teachers are nearby to assist, if necessary. Criminal history checks are done on all the Grandpas and there are enough teachers available that Grandpas are never counted in ratios.

Each year, through the school newsletters and in some of the church publications, we extend the invitation to become a Grandpa in our school. Sometimes we appeal to the leaders of the various men’s groups at church to tell their members about the Grandpa Project and encourage them to join in the fun. The only qualifications are to enjoy children and be able to hit a nail. All of the adults in this program have been men, though we would certainly welcome women if they were interested. However, since children of this age spend so much of their days interacting with women, it is nice for them to have an opportunity for inter-actions with men.

Since we all appreciate the attention and dedication of the Grandpas, each year at holiday time and at the end of the year, the children make thank you cards and bake cookies, gingerbread, or applesauce cake to give to each of the men.

The learning

Woodworking is a wonderful activity. It helps develop eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills. It builds strength in the hands and arms. It encourages creativity; provides opportunities for problem solving; making predictions; math activities, such as measuring and geometric shapes; and involves the senses of sight, touch, hearing, and smell. As the children work with the Grandpas, they have to use language to describe what they would like to build. It teaches the children safe ways to use tools and provides opportunities for building self-esteem and feelings of accomplishment.

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