Don’t be afraid to let your kids use tools. One of the easiest ways to make a situation unsafe, is by questioning anyone’s ability to do it. By giving your children confidence and emotional support while using any tool, you will actually prevent accidents. But HOW do you convey that?
- Calmly explain the safety elements before the tools are in their hands which would distract them.
- Keep the directions to a minimum.
- Tell them you know they can do it.
- Don’t over correct.
- Pause the activity after a while and enjoy investigating the proof of their competency.
- Relax & realize that you can both have FUN working w/ tools.
Join the debate on how a healthy dose of “Risk Factor” introduced into our children’s lives benefits their emotional and physiological growth. See the article Can a Playground be TOO Safe from the New York Times or watch Gever Tulley’s TED talk on the 5 Dangerous things you should let your kid do.
With parental supervision from my husband or myself- the dozen kids who wanted to saw wood took turns cutting clamped logs. This Howtoons Cut-to-the-Point printable poster offers a great guide for the purposes of different Saws & Saw Safety. Each child wore a pair of safety goggles, learned how clamps worked and utilized the proper etiquette for sawing (free hand on wood to brace, eyes always on a moving blade, and taking occasional breaks). Kids also learned how different teeth on a hacksaw and crosscut saw cut wood.
With 
finished wood, sandpaper and tacks, kids and parents turned back the clock to the 1800’s by making their own Jacob’s Ladder. Kids sanded the edges of 6 wood squares that I had sawed earlier and assembled them with ribbons and tacks. Just like kids would have done 100 years ago, making a Jacob’s ladder was the perfect way to practice with Pa’s tools which they may one day inherit to provide for their family. Kids would up-cycle leftover wood and not only have a toy to play with, but show off their creativity and craftmanship.
How to make a Jacob’s Ladder click for visual directions
Step 1. Cut wood into 2.5 inch blocks from 1/2 inch thick plank (need 6)
Step 2. Sand edges of the wood w/ sandpaper
Step 3. Attach 3 ribbons (18″ each) onto wood w/ tack
Step 4: Lay additional blocks & tack ribbon alternately
And as happens on every 3rd Thursday of the month we have a Potluck – when we invite friends and family to share our loving village. We feasted on Vegan Thai Chili, Roasted Chix, homemade salsa verde, fresh baked bread, Kale salads, fresh fruit, and pies. Everyone brings their own plates and utensils from home. It’s a carbon footprint thing. How fun it is to play with other families into the night past sundown.
Excellent reference articles. As well, so great to expose kids to as many things as possible. Growing their vocabulary of experience!