Cultivating Will, Thought, and Feeling in the Middle School Years: How Practical Arts Support the Adolescent Journey

How do we develop and harmoniously integrate thinking, feeling, and willing in the middle schooler—especially during the dynamic years when growth forces are so deeply engaged in the process of puberty? Through purposeful, hands-on engagement in practical arts, students can find grounding and balance—strengthening their will while also nurturing a deep connection to their inner world and the material environment.

The Need for Creative Engagement

In today's world, where technology effortlessly caters to our every need, there are fewer opportunities—both for children and adults—to engage creatively with the physical world. Yet, creative activity is essential. The satisfaction of making something by hand not only brings joy and a sense of achievement but also provides access to the essential formative powers handwork can foster in the growing child. 

From Soft Crafts to Hard Materials

The experience of making a soft stuffed animal, for instance, is fundamentally different from carving a wooden animal. The shift from soft crafts to hard materials requires stronger forces of will. When working with wood, the whole body is engaged—hands, limbs, posture, and attention all come into play. Middle school students begin to discover the strength of their own will through this deeper physical involvement, and the transition to woodworking becomes a rite of passage in itself.

Discovering the Will Through Woodwork

At Cedarwood, students are introduced to woodwork in Grade 5. Here, they begin their journey with the carving knife—learning safety, precision, and patience. As they carve, their senses awaken: they build strength in their hands, experience fatigue, notice the warmth of exertion in their cheeks, and slowly develop coordination and technique. While the end product may be a small wooden mouse or a butter knife, the true value lies in the meditative, focused process of shaping wood with intention and care.

A Curriculum That Grows with the Student

As students progress through the middle school years, their work in practical arts evolves alongside their inner development. They begin by awakening their hands and learning the basics of working with wood—exploring form, texture, and technique. As they mature, their projects become more complex, calling for refined motor skills, patience, and perseverance.

With each year, students deepen their understanding of materials and expand their tool repertoire—learning to use carving knives, gouges, rasps, spokeshaves, and more. They move from simple forms to layered, intricate creations that require problem-solving and sustained focus.

Eventually, students may explore new mediums such as bone and stone, gaining a broader appreciation for craftsmanship. These experiences not only build technical skill, but also cultivate inner strength, confidence, and the capacity to bring beauty and purpose into the world through their own effort.

Gia Davis has been a teacher at Cedarwood Waldorf School for over 14 years. She is the founder and designer of Cedarwood’s Practical Arts program, which she now leads. Gia teaches soft crafts across the grades and introduces middle school students to more advanced work with hard materials, guiding them through a rich, hands-on curriculum that nurtures creativity, skill, and will.