First off, there's an old thread here: http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/thr...ng-to-children
Interesting, but it kind of went sideways at the end and I didn't want to revive that. So I'll very loosely paraphrase:
Then, there's the whole nature verses nurture debate that kind of morphs into the idea that even so-inclined kids still need the exposure, and how to get them interested in that while competing against video games et.all.
So, anyone succeed? What worked? What didn't work?
Me, my kid is now 6. When he was younger and still sitting is a stroller, I could give him a tablet to play with and I'd get an hour of shop time, at least some quiet stuff. I was starting to think my kid believed all I did in the shop was clean These days, he knows that if he complains then we wrap it up, so I get maybe 5 min. I've been very careful to not make "shop time" anything negative. Never forced him to stay. Sigh... it is not going well.
He loves watching videos of trains, books on trains, and he like playing with his toy trains, though doesn't particularly show much interest in running said trains on tracks. I have enough plarail and lego duplo track to go around our entire condo (seriously). He'll stand there at his computer watching a train video while toy trains run around his feet. He's a tough nut to crack.
He has Rubbermaid tubs full of lego... I keep buying it, he barely shows interest. He does like playing with the firetrucks or planes I've assembled for him. The best I can say is that he's at the point now where he will patiently wait, and sometimes watch, and for a few moments actually help, me do the assembly. He has other assembly type toys and fake hand tools that he shows no interest in.
My new tactic is subterfuge... I joined the local model engineer's society and am working on getting him addicted to driving trains... yeah... train pusher I am. I'll admit it. The intent is to get him to, one day, say "Daddy, let's go to the shop and work on the train." He does like driving the train. I might win this one, maybe.
So... should I keep trying the way I've been going or just give up and let him scream in the shop until he learns to like it... or ELSE!
And, yes, I'm a little jealous of Mattthemuppet,
David...
Interesting, but it kind of went sideways at the end and I didn't want to revive that. So I'll very loosely paraphrase:
- Kids sitting in the shop notice more than you think
- Have projects with results they can take home that day
- Wood is a good start, then blacksmith (fire and hammer), then machines.
- Taking stuff apart is good.
Then, there's the whole nature verses nurture debate that kind of morphs into the idea that even so-inclined kids still need the exposure, and how to get them interested in that while competing against video games et.all.
So, anyone succeed? What worked? What didn't work?
Me, my kid is now 6. When he was younger and still sitting is a stroller, I could give him a tablet to play with and I'd get an hour of shop time, at least some quiet stuff. I was starting to think my kid believed all I did in the shop was clean These days, he knows that if he complains then we wrap it up, so I get maybe 5 min. I've been very careful to not make "shop time" anything negative. Never forced him to stay. Sigh... it is not going well.
He loves watching videos of trains, books on trains, and he like playing with his toy trains, though doesn't particularly show much interest in running said trains on tracks. I have enough plarail and lego duplo track to go around our entire condo (seriously). He'll stand there at his computer watching a train video while toy trains run around his feet. He's a tough nut to crack.
He has Rubbermaid tubs full of lego... I keep buying it, he barely shows interest. He does like playing with the firetrucks or planes I've assembled for him. The best I can say is that he's at the point now where he will patiently wait, and sometimes watch, and for a few moments actually help, me do the assembly. He has other assembly type toys and fake hand tools that he shows no interest in.
My new tactic is subterfuge... I joined the local model engineer's society and am working on getting him addicted to driving trains... yeah... train pusher I am. I'll admit it. The intent is to get him to, one day, say "Daddy, let's go to the shop and work on the train." He does like driving the train. I might win this one, maybe.
So... should I keep trying the way I've been going or just give up and let him scream in the shop until he learns to like it... or ELSE!
And, yes, I'm a little jealous of Mattthemuppet,
David...
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