A local carpenter and father has launched a new woodworking workshop as a way for children to gain physical skills, as well as independence, confidence and accountability.
Slöyd is what the workshop focuses on, and refers to a curriculum of creating handcrafted wooding projects that focuses on practical, hands-on work.
The goal is to help kids develop cognitive, motor and problem-solving skills at an early age—between the ages of six and 14.
It dates back to 1865, when Slöyd was first developed in Finland by an educator by the name of Otto Salomon.
Recently, this tradition has been brought to Victoria by co-founders of Slöyd Experience Canada Dylan Warnberg and his wife Amy Denton, who works as a teacher in the Sooke School District.
Warnberg told Victoria Buzz that although he has been a carpenter in the area for years, he knew nothing about Slöyd, until a post came up on his feed in social media.
“It jumped out at me, and I literally felt it in my chest—it was like being struck by lightning,” he said.
“When I saw the visuals and learned about Slöyd Experience, which is based out of Colorado, I knew I had to do this with my children.”
Slöyd Experience is a US-based company that launched during the pandemic, which took elements of the century-old tradition, created a modern curriculum and began teaching kids.
Warnberg said after seeing that post of theirs which inspired him so much, he immediately reached out and they sent over all the resources they had for him.
Slöyd then consumed Warnberg, and he did a deep dive on the Scandinavian educational philosophy.
“Salomon believed that the hand and the mind develop together,” explained Warnberg
“Something happens when a child makes something real, gets it wrong and makes it right that no abstract lesson can touch.”
In the age of instant information and screen-time dominating children and their parents’ lives, Warnberg believes that Slöyd is more important now than ever.
“Here we are today with this digital world that didn’t exist back then, and it’s likely more relevant today to create an environment where these kids can learn skills that are essential,” he said.
After his deep dive on the philosophy and the curriculum of Slöyd, Warnberg set out to start creating with his own children.
He noted that the first attempt was in his own home workshop, but found the space to be not conducive to his kids’ learning experience.
Warnberg then built his kids their own workspace, and more importantly, their own work benches that were made for a kid’s height rather than an adult’s.
Following some trial and error with his kids, Warnberg got in touch with Victoria-based MakeSpace, which includes a community-focused wood shop available for programming.
Warnberg has now taught two lessons there and said they were both successful, with kids between ages six and 14 coming out to learn crafting skills.
Children who come to a Slöyd workshop led by Warnberg are fully self-directed. As their educator, he will have his class come to his work bench where he will demonstrate the safe handling of the tools they are using, then watch and offer advice as they independently create.
“Kids can expect to step up to a workbench, have their own set of tools and make something,” explained Warnberg.
“Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s hard. I’m here to support them in making things out of wood and I’m going to teach you how to use all the tools on your workbench.”
He noted that thus far some parents have seemed a little concerned their child will be using real tools, such as a Japanese pull-saw and a block plane, but assures them that the class prioritizes safety above all else.
“I tell parents that safety is number one here, and I will make sure that your child has a complete understanding of how to use these tools safely.”
The curriculum he is teaching includes 15 models, or projects. Some of these include a basic wooden pencil sharpener, a ruler, a plant label, a hat rack, a shelf, custom projects the kids will design and create on their own and more.
“With each model, I introduce another skill or tool that will help them create that.”
Currently, Warnberg is teaching two 75 minute classes a week at MakeSpace, on Fridays and Saturdays.
Those who want to sign up their kids can do so via the MakeSpace website.
He says his hope is to grow Slöyd Experience Canada to be able to teach kids this fundamental understanding of creation and self-reliance, not only throughout Greater Victoria, but in schools throughout the country.
This summer his plan is to start operating summer camps and classes in other parts of the capital region.
Learn more about Slöyd Experience Canada here.
💬 Join the conversation
No comments yet — be the first to start the conversation
