Kids Shed teaches skills and life lessons

A group of children who have been attending the Erina Kids Shed program have learned valuable life skills while working on a community project.

On September 4, they presented four handmade trains to Sue Carantinos and Corps Officer Major Carole Smith from the Salvation Army for the Salvos 2025 Christmas Appeal.

Under the guidance of Howard Middleton and the men from Erina Community Men’s Shed, the children followed plans and used tools including drop saws, bench drill presses, belt sanders and other tools to complete the trains.

Not only did they learn woodworking skills, they were also thinking of others in the community, feeling proud of their contribution at the end of the project.

Kids Shed is a collaboration with the Erina Men’s Shed and the Footprints organisation, which managers the community outreach of Erina Community Baptist Church.

It aims to engage the community in a program where children learn new skills, and families feel supported.

The children are mentored, taught, and valued by others.

They learn about intergenerational relationships while honing woodworking and communication skills, problem solving, critical thinking, self-pride and achievement in a non-competitive environment. 

The bi-product is enhancing numeracy and literacy knowledge through hands-on experiences.

As each object is built, the children’s confidence in their own ability grows.

Skills learned include safety, hammering, screwing, sawing, and drilling, all done using hand tools and electric tools including the latest in technology. 

The program has been running for almost two years, with benefits to both the children and the men who mentor them.