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Children Using Hand Tools
October 30, 2006
If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.
-Mary Kay Ash
-Mary Kay Ash
In the introduction to his book, Woodshop for Kids: 52 Woodworking Projects Kids Can Build, Jack McKee describes his philosophy about having preschool and elementary school children use carpentry tools:
“Hand tools are perfect for kids. They are safe if used properly, user-friendly, easy to find, and, when compared to power tools, inexpensive. They are quiet (sort of) and allow children to exchange ideas as they work. Useful hand-tool skills can be acquired quickly and used throughout a lifetime. Nevertheless, people inquire about using power tools with kids.
“I can’t imagine that anyone would think of allowing children to use high speed cutting tools like a power saw, circular saw, or router. Would you give them the keys to the car? But what about a battery drill or hand orbital sander? My advice is to help kids develop competence with hand tools before attempting any power tool.
“….The purpose of using a power tool is to do repetitive jobs faster. If you have lots of holes to drill, screws to put in, or boards to sand, power tools are definitely handy. For a few holes or screws or boards, they aren’t much help, not worth the added danger and hassle. It would be like letting a child ride a bike from one end of the house to the other just to get there faster.”
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Comments (1)
Displaying 1 CommentTamra's Tots Koala T Child Care
Spokane, WA, United States
I run a national accreditated family childcare home in Washington State. Last year I built a large wooden childsize workbench. I purchased carpentry/woodworking tools and materials for building. The sales clerk in the lumber section of the store was very supportive to my idea of introducing carpentry into my daycare. He said he wished his daycare would have done that for his child and to show his support he gave me 12 baseball caps and a full box of carpenters pencils with sharpener. I shared my carpentry/woodworking ideas with an early childhood class I was taking at the time and one of the biggest issues that continue to come up was SAFETY. Well, just as I told them in class I say to you....DO NOT LET THE CHILDREN USE ANY OF THESE ITEMS WITH-OUT CLOSE SUPERVISION. I do not let more than one child use the tool bench at a time because of safety issues and I feel the "one at a time rule" is the safest way to help keep everyone safe. How-ever, most importantly, I stand right with the child when they are working with any tools. This is a GREAT one-on-one activity that encourages the child to try new things. By adding carpentry/woodworking activities to your curriculum you are providing the children an opportunity to grow and develop their social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills. What a wonderful gift I have given these children as well as myself.
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