Children love to explore new things. Introducing them to the woodworking shop is a valuable experience for them for many reasons. Creativity may seem the obvious one, although there are other reasons why this helps them. They get to understand the significance of numbers, measuring and the overall order of doing things. The amount of enjoyment they experience really does depend upon guidance, supervision and balancing that against the creative instincts and interests of the child. When this balance is achieved, the scope of projects can be far reaching to account for any age of child, and the earlier the child starts to understand, the more likely that child is to grow up with a flexible and practical background which will help them to cope with their lives as an adult.
*Helping them plan a project.
*Talking about their innovative approach.
*Working out patterns on paper.
*Being aware of which processes are safe.
*Protecting without stifling.
*Uses of different fixings.
*Use of glues.
*Putting their project together.
*Painting and finishing their project.
Helping them plan a project.
The difficulty level of the project depends upon age. You know your own children's capabilities and it is wise to choose a project which is simple enough for the age of the child. For instance, a child who is too young to use tools accurately can still help out and be made to feel a part of a project if the level at which they contribute is planned to allow for their capabilities. A bird house is a great first project for any age, since they will get a lot of enjoyment, and children who are not old enough to deal with the use of tools can be involved in holding the wood, and helping you to construct it, in the design process and also in the finishing of the project with paints.
Choose a project to suit the age level, and don't expect a child to understand woodworking processes as common sense processes. They will not understand the complexity of joints if they are too young to grasp it. By working with them, you feed from their creativity, and gain their enthusiasm for the task at hand better than if you impose your own ideas upon them.
Talking about their innovative approach.
Many youngsters are put off being creative because they are criticized for their ideas. Talk to them as equals and if they come up with an idea which won't work, don't dismiss it. Discussion helps them to gain a better understanding of what does work, and helps them to put their ideas into practice.
Working out patterns on paper.
This is a fun time. By working with the child, their ideas can take shape. Use paper which is clear for them to see. Explain how the different elements go together. Measurement and drawing teach the child the significance of size. Demonstrate with a small cardboard box, to show the different elements which go together to make the whole package. Let them try to work out the correct angles and let them learn to use protractors and compasses, rulers and pencils as this shows them that it's ot only scholarly things which use these tools.
Being aware of which processes are safe.
When you have drawn up your designs, make a plan as to how to start the project. Work out which areas of expertise they can be involved in safely. The child wants to be involved, though you need to be aware of safety at all times. Children should never be let loose with power tools, though in the beginning stages of woodwork, the hand tools should be sufficient to make most small projects. Practice use of each of the tools with a block of scrap wood. Let them try putting in screws. Teach them to make a guide hole with a bradawl. Let them try hammering a nail into the block of wood, but be sure that this has sufficiently large a head as to get quick and positive results.
Throughout every process, be there to guide them. Supervision at all times is vital. Teach them to hold the nail or screw correctly and to learn from their own mistakes. Be extra careful with saws. Choose a saw which is sufficiently small for small hands, and watch where they place their hands, making them aware of safety considerations.
Protecting without stifling.
A child who is constantly being told off for doing things wrong loses interest quickly. Instead of taking this approach, protect them, though let them experiment. Their hands are smaller and less experienced than yours and they need to go through the process of learning as a positive thing, rather than be constantly nagged. If they come up with ideas, let them try them. Their ideas may not work, but at least you are letting them learn, rather than restricting them from trying.
Use of different fixings.
Learning how to use different screws, nails and fixings broadens the child's understanding. Show them the sizes and demonstrate how this works, by also lining these up with the thicknesses of wood being used for the project. Let them make decisions about which fixings should be used in the project. If they guess wrong, don't criticize. Ask them what makes their choice better than one you can choose as suitable, and learn to discuss. By doing this, they learn reasoning, and why things work.
Brackets to fit pieces of wood together are handy with children. They can see instantly how things go together. Hangers for their project also need to be discussed and agreed upon.
Use of glues.
Many glues are toxic and should never be used with children. Make them aware that these are not to be used and store them away from curiosity. Explain the symbols on the cans and the harm they can do. Glues which are suited to children will be the white wood glues as these are very similar to those used in paper projects. Explain the difference between quick setting and slow setting glues. Let them stick a few odd pieces of wood together to learn application.
Putting their project together.
You may have to cut out their project. If you do this in advance and then arrange for them to be there when this is all put together, it saves frustration. A child's patience isn't as easy to deal with as an adult's patience, so if you have all the pieces cut out and ready for them, this makes things a lot easier. Make sure that if the child is asked to hammer nails or screw into things that the item is held safely in place to avoid accidents. Teaching them out to use a vise is helpful though make them aware of the risk of trapping fingers.
Painting and finishing of their project.
The fun starts when the project is nearing completion. Spread out newspapers and get plenty of water based paints. Acrylics are ideal for children. Get them involved in sanding their projects and teach them the uses of different sandpapers. They can always practice on a rough piece of wood. When they have sandpapered, show them how to use a dust brush and the significance of leaving dust on a surface to be painted. This is the crowning glory of a woodworking project. Whether you end up painting or want to use water based varnish, show the children how to use different brush strokes to achieve different results.
Have a place in the workshop where their items can sit to dry, and when they are all finished, let them take pride in what they made. It is this experience of achievement which will encourage them back to try out more projects. A child's imagination is a wonderful place of discovery. By working with them in your workshop you allow them to explore possibilities, and learn to use traditional skills to achieve great results.