Can girls do woodworking? I never asked if she could do it and she never doubted she could. He didn’t either.
This is what happened. I had my eight year old, Meagan, watch Paul Seller’s woodworking DVD
I carefully sharpened up an antique spokeshave a friend gave me some time back, clamped a board to my workbench, gave them a coping saw (not the powered kind!) and carefully supervised.
In the first session, they got about halfway finished. For Benjamin, this kind of project isn’t really about getting work done, it is about being with his Dad. Mission accomplished.
For Meagan, it is very much about the work, and the creativity involved. She is anxious to get back and finish.
Woodworking is supposed to be hard, and it can be, but it can be satisfying even from the very first projects.
Truthfully, we weren’t making spatulas. We were building skills and making memories.
Sorry, there were no pictures of the event. I will try to get some later.
There’s life after school,
Luke Townsley
SaltMakers.com
Well done. My kids are a little younger, so right now they just play at woodworking–planing, sawing, chiseling. I’m looking forward to more experiences like yours.
My just turned five year old is eagerly waiting his chance. I’m planning to let him try the same project soon. We will see how that goes. He wanted a “cutter” i.e. chainsaw for Christmas. (He didn’t get it).