Learning about wood through rod profileswwith children aged 2–3 in technical education

In this thesis, we present wood as a very useful and important material for manipulation and construction which can be used in preschool as well as in everyday life. We can manipulate wood using different technologies, such as buffing, painting, filing, and joining, even in early childhood when we are developing different skills and competence. We used a survey questionnaire to find out how often wood is used as a didactic material in preschool. We believe that activities with which children could comprehensively get to know and develop manual skills, including fine and gross motor development, are not yet advanced enough in children aged 2–3. In this thesis, we present the forest as a living space, its meaning for people and the wood processing techniques to create semi-manufactured products and products for everyday use. We helped children aged 2–3 years to familiarise themselves with forests and wood through experiential game-based learning and the construction of products from rod profiles that can be found in everyday life. Children used all their senses while learning. We evaluated the process of experiential learning and noted positive remarks about children's progress, for example fast learning, showing interest for the activity, and independent curiosity. To increase the possibility of improving and changing the way preschool children learn about technical education in the future, we included suggestions for different experiences in all areas of activity (nature and social studies, language, art, mathematics, and exercise). These activities complement each other and ensure an integrated development of children, not just with regard to construction using rod profiles, but in all technical fields