Parenting Press Review of Woodshop for Kids
What we really, really like, however, are the life lessons that woodworking can teach.
What we really, really like, however, are the life lessons that woodworking can teach.
I bought this drill press many years ago and hundreds, of kids have used it. If kids can drill bigger and straighter holes it allows them to build quite a few more projects. They like the challenge of learning to use it and are proud of their new found competence.
It was the most meaningful, fun, and interesting woodworking I’d ever done.
Every time I see that little car, or think about it, I remember it was Amanda who made me realize how much kids love to make presents.
This post has pictures of the shop and description of how I organized a class of 10 kids. In the morning it was 6-8 year olds and in the afternoon it was 8-12 year olds.
Looking back at the first year I taught woodworking two mistakes were making projects too difficult and assuming kids could use tools. Wrong. Most kids had never picked up a tool, and the ones who had really didn’t know how to use them. Nailing is a perfect example.
…… experience taught me that even very young children can be trusted to use real tools. Fifteen years of woodworking with kids has confirmed this initial experience.
Kids at work
As you can see the simple key fob is not so simple from a 4 or 5 year old perspective.
…..kids in a hurry slow down, kids who think they can’t build anything learn they can, kids who think they know everything learn the don’t, and kids who need adult approval for everything learn to be a little more independent.