Since the publication of Design and Technology 5 to 12 by Williams and Jinks in
1985, there have been hundreds of books written about Design and Technology in
primary schools. I have read a considerable number of these books and they range
from the very ordinary to those of high quality. Doug Newton's book fits into the
latter category.
From the opening chapter, where Doug looks at Design and Technology from a
practical problem-solving point of view, through his description of designing and
making as a ‘rather erratic and messy process involving false starts’, Doug displays a
clear understanding of this most fascinating subject. His comment in the final chapter
that ‘D&T can benefit from a guardian and a champion, someone showing diplomacy,
forethought and the skills of persuasion’ demonstrates his clear, sympathetic understanding
of a subject still trying to establish a secure place in the primary school
curriculum. This book is packed full of sound advice and good ideas interlaced with the
essence of what Design and Technology in primary schools should be. The middle
chapters provide a plethora of imaginative design and make activities for children across
the age range 3 – 11; they are divided into the age bands 3 – 5, 5 – 7, and 7 – 11. It is
difficult to bring to mind other publications that offer more opportunities across a range
of starting points covering materials appropriate to the age of the children