* Ensure that materials and tools fit the purpose. Explain to the children why certain tools are used with specific materials, for their safety and to help them develop understanding of the possibilities within D&T. Explain why a particular tool works and how it can be controlled.
* Teach children to recognise a wide range of natural and manufactured materials. Point out their importance in everyday life and explore their specific characteristics and qualities.
* Teach the correct words for tools and materials.
* Experiment with the materials and tools yourself to gain confidence and realise the potential of apparently simple resources.
* Follow safety procedures consistently.
* Provide comprehensive ranges of materials such as textiles rather than piles of similar items. This will make D&T more interesting and varied.
* Give the children access to a limited but changing range of materials and tools to maintain their interest and extend their range of skills and options.
* Select recyclable materials carefully. Avoid accepting bags full of random materials with no consideration for their value in children's learning. Sort the materials into categories. Junk can easily be transformed into an organised selection of sheet materials.
* Avoid using the word 'junk', as it suggests to children that their work from these materials will too be of little value.
* Experiment in making your own resources. For example, kitchen sponges, cut into patterns and card tubes, squashed into a shape and retained with masking tape, make wonderful printing blocks.
