Crafts with dad

In their first years of life, children are constantly learning and eager to gain new experiences. Motor skills, skill and coordination can be excellently trained by craftsmanship - preferably together with dad, because this is fun and promotes the father-child bond through the joint activity.

To enter the craft together with the child, dad does not have to be a carpenter or necessarily have a workshop. Much can also be tried at the kitchen table or outside in the garden. It is important that everything you do together in this regard to align the aspects of fun and security.

Entry with hammer and nail

When you talk about craftsmanship, most of them usually think about woodwork and that's the way to get started. As soon as your child can hold a light hammer and deal with it - that's about three years - it starts. The first attempts to hammer nails into (soft!) Wood will delight your child. Of course, as a dad, you are always there, showing your child the technique and making sure that the delicate fingers do not become the target of the hammerhead. The first "nail boards" can simply be test pieces, but also have a real meaning and purpose. For example, many of the nails that have been hammered into a larger board can create enclosures for a farm or zoo animals.

Carving and sawing

For older children, you can then dare to the "more dangerous" techniques. Children over the age of six can try their first carving with special children's knives. There are safety gloves that protect the sensitive thumb from the knife edge. As with hammering and all other work with tools, you should show your child the right handling and also draw attention to possible experiences.

(C) FOLOTLIA

With fretwork also beautiful first successes can be achieved. Pay attention to the safe use of the tool and choose for the beginning of very light motives, so your child is not frustrated by excessive demands. Incidentally, you can paint fretwork after sawing. They are wonderful gifts for mom, grandma, and other relatives.

Metalwork and electricity

Children over the age of eight can then slowly get used to the material metal. For this purpose, however, a workshop with the appropriate tool should be available. Files and screws - and if father and child dare to do so, even welding - offers important experience and promotes craftsmanship once again in a completely different direction.

For experiments with electricity, there are special kits, with which own circuits can be designed or vehicles and machines can be built. It's a great experience when the lights come on in the end or when you release your first electric vehicle.

About handling tools

Whenever children work with tools, they should also be aware of the dangers that are hidden in them. Therefore, a thorough paternal instruction on handling and certain safety regulations is necessary. Only then, when you know that your child has really understood, can you begin to work. The most important rules that small children understand are:

• You do not make nonsense with tools, you do not threaten anyone, do not wiggle around with them and do not run around.

• Screwdrivers, scissors and other pointed tools are always carried by the handle with the tip down and handed over.

• Tool that is no longer needed will be put back in its place.

• In addition to these important rules, it is also necessary to wear safety clothing for certain jobs. For example, safety goggles when grinding or ear protection when working with noisy equipment.

Working together strengthens the bond

When children do something with their fathers, this is usually an extraordinary event - most men are still absent most of the time. Especially when researching and working together, when creating something together and gaining new insights, this promotes father-child bonding and strengthens the trust and self-evident interaction with each other. Above all, however, is always the fun factor. Do not take it so hard and avoid any pressure to perform. Demotivating "failures" can give your child the impression that they are unskilled.