1 How does your questioning focus and extend children's thinking and learning? Have you discussed the key vocabulary related to this area of learning, for example, names of equipment and techniques and comparative language?
2 Are children encouraged to look at and talk about design around them? Are they given opportunities to dismantle as well as to construct?
3 How can you raise parents' awareness of the importance of learning in this area?
4 Have you looked at designs in a range of cultures - for example, the use of chopsticks and knives and forks? Why, when the general purpose is the same (to aid eating), does the design of the utensils vary so much?
5 Do you plan time to spend with children teaching them how to use tools safely and effectively?
6 How do you encourage children to talk about their ideas and to discuss plans with other children?
7 Is the range of tools and materials wide enough and do children have sufficient exploratory experience to enable informed decisions and appropriate selections to be made?
8 Do the construction kits you provide help to develop a range of skills? Do they include cogs and wheels, interlocking bricks, connectors, screws and bolts?
9 How are children supported in the process of evaluation and modification?
10 Do you display children's own plans and drawings alongside, for example, architect's drawings and flat-pack furniture instructions?
