Give Them Real Tools!

A huge segment of the toy industry makes kids cameras, plastic hardware tools, faux art supplies, and character-branded naturalist equipment. The motivation for such things might be pure, but they are often cheaply-made, useless imitations of adult tools. I can't tell you how many 'kid' versions of tools have met their end in our donation bin. We toss the plastic screwdriver that doesn't actually work with screws, the cheapo watercolors that have no pigment, the child-friendly measuring cups that are cute but hard to use.

Use the Real Thing What's wrong with allowing children to use the real thing? If your child is distractable, keep your hands on the binoculars as they use them. Use the DSLR camera together or give them an outdated but still functional digital camera. Your ancient point and shoot is far superior to the kiddie version.

Buy genuine artist supplies at the craft or art store. Paints and brushes might be more expensive but they outlast and outperform the kiddie versions. While you are there, invest in some real artist paper or canvases.

Provide lightweight but real hammers and let children practice aim with the possible natural consequence of hitting their thumb. Because they are performing a real and honest task, chances are good they won't even complain about a small hurt.

Process Not Product Young children (and most adults) learn more from the process of an activity than enjoy the eventual product. Sure, kids have great imaginations and should pretend to fly rather than actually attempt it. But when we can give our children real experience in the process of creating something, they will feel empowered. They will gain true skills and competence that faux tools do not allow.

Too Young or Too Expensive? I have high expectations for my six year old because she has been handling real tools from the moment she could handle tools at all. She has used sharp knives since she was three and power tools shortly after. Her mastery of one tool is rewarded with the next.

I believe that all kids can handle real tools when they are presented with supervised experiences from a young age. Expectations for safety must be held in the highest regard. If a child cannot handle themselves, the tool should be removed without punishment but a simple "you're not ready for this right now."

Some might argue that real tools are more expensive than the kid version. While this might be true, I think of purchases as an investment over time. It is not unrealistic to think that the genuine 6" santoku knife I bought for Lil last year will travel to college with her. Same with her quality flash light, sewing kit, and binoculars. Perhaps I actually saved money by skipping over the kiddie junk.

So what if something breaks? First, naysayers might be surprised at the durability of adult tools. Lil has dropped her ancient Canon PowerShot camera dozens of times and it still functions well.

If something does fall to pieces, so be it. Adults and children make mistakes that cause glasses to break and knives to bend. I use damage incidents to talk about whether we have a budget to replace it or if we can try to fix the broken part or if we might need to be creative and do without something for awhile. These are all natural consequences to an inevitable part of living.

It's a Tool, Not a Toy The above phrase echoes around our house. Scissors are a tool and I expect Lil to use them safely or the privilege of using them is revoked. Matches must be consumed for a purpose - they are not play things. Use the strap to secure binoculars and cameras.

Lil approaches projects with sincerity towards the tools she might need. She isn't afraid of fire or sharp things because she practices using them safely under supervision. She still struggles with things that her small size body can't manage, like heavy hammers. If she comes across a project that requires a tool she isn't ready to handle, we assert ourselves as keepers of her safety and assist.

Does my daughter have good awareness because of something innate or because we encourage her to explore and create using tools? It's probably a little bit of both.

Each parent knows their child and must estimate how their child will handle a certain tool. Place safety at the forefront. Set them up for success by giving them new tools when they are fed and full of focus. Allow them to make mistakes and take time away from the project.

I know that I am not alone in raising a child who uses real tools. There are preschool classrooms of children who use saws and other mature tools. Why?

Because kids want and deserve the chance to make things.

Because trusting a child to operate a tool encourages them to trust themselves.

Because we don't know who will illustrate the world with watercolors or build inspiring houses or take amazing pictures or cook incredible dishes when they are given the right tools.

Lil's Colorful Chop Salad

It is afternoon, a time when summer boredom hits hardest.  Lil is whiny and wants nothing to do with any of the ideas I suggest.  That is, until I start working on dinner and ask if she would like to make a salad.

She runs to her garden and picks what is ripe and fresh.  She brings them inside, washes, and begins to chop.  Lil dices carrots finely with an adult paring knife.  I teach her how to chiffonade large leaves.  She mixes a vinaigrette, pours it over the salads, and serves them.

These chop salads genuinely taste delicious and make good use of our in season vegetables.  More than that, Lil's salads represent the growth of a healthy eater and contributing member of our food loving family.

Recipe for a Chop Salad, verbatim from Lil

First, we need to do carrots, then chard, then some dressing.  Put herbs and done.

Tips for a Successful Salad Making Experience with a Child

1. Say 'yes' as often as you can.  You want both the making and the eating of a child-led salad to be positive.

2. Set yourself up for success by offering to do tasks that might be frustrating for a young child, such as cutting thick parts of a carrot.

3. Be flexible about letting the child try everything they want to try.  Model techniques, moving their hands under yours if need be.

4. Give them the proper tools, especially knife ware.  A child will be easily frustrated with a knife that doesn't cut well.  Lil has been using an adult pairing knife since she was three, for these reasons.

5. Double check the washing.  Garden vegetables, especially greens, can be dirty and grit makes for a poor salad.  Kids love using the salad spinner, so employ yours if you have one.

6. Go with the child's taste ideas.  You may never have thought to pair certain herbs and vegetables, but the child's tastes may surprise you. More than that, by allowing her creativity in the kitchen you are giving her confidence in other areas.

7. Specifically and honestly affirm the act of making and eating a healthy salad.  "You worked really hard at this." "I especially like how carefully you cut the carrots."  "Thanks for making part of our dinner! I love eating this nutritious and delicious salad."

Let Them Use Knives

Most children have an innate desire to mimic their parents.  This is especially true in the kitchen.  With the proper instruction and practice, children CAN do most everything adults do.  Turning their motivation into teachable cooking moments sets the foundation for a lifelong healthy relationship with food.

Even young kids quickly become truly helpful cooks. In this busy age, having a child who is able to assist making meals and make themselves a snack is a time saver.

Beyond helpfulness to you, allowing children to contribute raises their self confidence.  They are more likely to eat foods they have helped prepare.  Think of years later when kids who cook age into college students able to feed themselves well.

We teach by modeling first, then working together, and finally allowing independence.

One of Lillian's favorite tasks is to help chop fruits and vegetables.  At first she was allowed to use a plastic knife, then metal butter knife, and has now graduated to a paring knife.  Yes, my just four year old uses a paring knife, the same paring knife Alex sharpens regularly.

When teaching children any lesson in life, it is necessary to give them the right tools.  It makes sense to me that if a child can exhibit self control and wants to cut a tomato, a butter knife is not going to do the job.

Of course, we maintain some basic precautions.  Knives are stored out of reach so they may only be used when an adult is around.  If Lil is in an angry or wiggly mood, we help her find a way to be calm before helping in the kitchen.  If she gets too excited about chopping and begins to look unsafe, we substitute a different knife or ask her to come back later after she has spent some energy.

"But what if she cuts herself?" aunts and grandparents ask when they see her with a sharp knife.  "What if?" I answer.  Given her lack of strength, it is unlikely she will do permanent damage if she slices a finger tip. Adult cooks, even professionals, cut themselves often.  Lil is well acquainted with the story about when Alex self amputated a bit of his thumb while chopping onions.  Practicing now under supervision is as good a time as any to begin knife skills.

With freedom and her sharp knife, Lil has grown to become a great assistant in the kitchen.  I give her cloves of garlic to chop and she does it happily.  She can chop apples for sauce, cut cheese in chunks, de-seed tomatoes, quarter mushrooms, and more.

I say, let children use knives.  Model good knife skills and allow them to practice under supervision.  You will not only give your children a life skill, but get some relief from chopping all those ingredients yourself!