Families have various ways of spending time together: TV, restaurants, picnics or sports. However, your hobby is woodworking and you would love to teach your kids a thing or two and have them help you. But is this safe? Of course, with some ground rules you can let your kids share your love for woodworking and learn a lot. However, before starting, make it very clear to them what they can touch and hold and what is off limits. Explain to them the difference between the safe tools and the 'only dad can use' tools. In fact getting them their own pieces of safe tools will make them feel more comfortable and also keep them away from your precious ones.
Giving your children a tour of the workshop and introducing them to the various tools and how they work is a good way to start. You can familiarize the kids by letting them help you by sand papering wood, or if your child is slightly older then maybe nailing two pieces of wood together, when you're around. Once they get the hang of it, you can begin working with them on a project that they might like. Your children are bound to be more enthused creating something that they can use and show off to their friends - probably a rocking horse, or a doll house.
When they pick a project, it is good to get them thinking like a wood worker so begin by asking what materials they think will be required for this project. Ask them to help you assemble the required tools. Ensure you use the proper names of the tools and also ask them why they think you should use them. Once all the tools are gathered, begin working with them on a plan of what things need to be done in the order that they need to be done. Then give them small tasks to perform. Take the age and confidence of the child in mind. Older children will be eager to prove themselves and will want to take on the saw or drill, while the younger ones will need some pushing.
Letting kids use the tools you've bought them will increase their confidence in their abilities. They will also learn to take care of their tools and learn maintenance. When you think they are familiar with their own tools, you can bring them onto yours. You can give the younger ones more confidence by asking them to work on a task with you, letting your seven year old place nails in holes that you drill, for example. This will help him overcome any fear.
Congratulating and praising your kids when they've achieve small things goes a long way to helping them learn faster. A nail rightly hammered, a screwdriver properly used, bringing you the right tools when asked, all deserve a word of appreciation. This will not only help them learn but also strengthen your bond with them. When you're encouraging, you will be surprised at how your children open up to you - along with building some fantastic woodwork.
Giving your children a tour of the workshop and introducing them to the various tools and how they work is a good way to start. You can familiarize the kids by letting them help you by sand papering wood, or if your child is slightly older then maybe nailing two pieces of wood together, when you're around. Once they get the hang of it, you can begin working with them on a project that they might like. Your children are bound to be more enthused creating something that they can use and show off to their friends - probably a rocking horse, or a doll house.
When they pick a project, it is good to get them thinking like a wood worker so begin by asking what materials they think will be required for this project. Ask them to help you assemble the required tools. Ensure you use the proper names of the tools and also ask them why they think you should use them. Once all the tools are gathered, begin working with them on a plan of what things need to be done in the order that they need to be done. Then give them small tasks to perform. Take the age and confidence of the child in mind. Older children will be eager to prove themselves and will want to take on the saw or drill, while the younger ones will need some pushing.
Letting kids use the tools you've bought them will increase their confidence in their abilities. They will also learn to take care of their tools and learn maintenance. When you think they are familiar with their own tools, you can bring them onto yours. You can give the younger ones more confidence by asking them to work on a task with you, letting your seven year old place nails in holes that you drill, for example. This will help him overcome any fear.
Congratulating and praising your kids when they've achieve small things goes a long way to helping them learn faster. A nail rightly hammered, a screwdriver properly used, bringing you the right tools when asked, all deserve a word of appreciation. This will not only help them learn but also strengthen your bond with them. When you're encouraging, you will be surprised at how your children open up to you - along with building some fantastic woodwork.
About the Author:
The skills leared while mastering basic woodworking will stick with your child for years to come and the experience of teaching them a craft will stick with you just as well.
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