It’s never too early to start teaching your children some basic handyman skills. After all, you never know when they might need to change a tire or unclog a sink. Not only that but learning how to do these things can give them a real sense of accomplishment.
So, what sort of skills should you be teaching your kids? And is this really what children should be taught in this day and age?
It’s an Important Life Skill
When most people think of handymen, they envision a gruff older gentleman in stained overalls smoking a pipe. But there’s no reason why the handyman mantle can’t be passed down to the next generation. In fact, there are many benefits to teaching children to be young handymen.
For one, being handy around the house instils a sense of pride and accomplishment. There’s nothing like taking on a small home improvement project and completing it from start to finish. According to kids development classes experts from Sydney Play and Learn Pty Ltd, it’s a great way for children to learn how to follow directions and take initiative. And who knows, maybe you’ll have a budding Bob Vila or Ty Pennington on your hands!
Besides that, teaching children about home maintenance and repair at an early age gives them a leg up when they become adults and move out on their own. They’ll already have some basic knowledge about how things work and how to fix them if they break. That can save them a lot of money (and headaches) down the road.
Finally, learning how to be handy around the house is just plain fun! It’s a great way for kids to get their hands dirty, use their imagination, and be creative. It’s also a way for parents and children to bond. Having something to share other than family picnics and dining is something that’s slowly fading as time goes by. So put down that video game controller and pick up a hammer—you might be surprised at what your child is capable of.
How to Get Started
If you’re not sure where to begin, start small. Begin by assigning your child simple tasks like fetching tools or measuring tape. As they get more comfortable and confident, you can give them more complex tasks like cutting wood or using power tools (with supervision, of course). You can also look for family-friendly home improvement projects that the whole clan can work on together. Nothing bonds a family quite like painting a room or planting a garden!
After children have completed small tasks related to handyman skills, the next step is to provide them with more challenging tasks. This can help children to learn new skills and improve their problem-solving abilities. When providing more challenging tasks, it is important to give children clear instructions and adequate supervision.
You can task them to clean carpets, provided it’s not the size of the whole house’s floor area. Giving them the task of carpet cleaning will let them know its importance in keeping away harmful substances that might be hiding in them. If this task proves to be still challenging for them and even for you, you can always get help from the best in the business. Additionally, it is helpful to break tasks down into smaller steps so that children can better understand what they need to do.
Tools of the Trade
For children to complete even basic handyman tasks, they need the right tools. But you don’t have to go out and buy an entirely new set of tools—just invest in some child-sized versions instead.
For example, rather than giving your little one an adult-sized hammer, opt for a smaller plastic one that they can easily grip in their small hands. The same goes for screwdrivers, saws, paintbrushes, etc. You should also consider investing in some safety gear like goggles and gloves to keep your child safe while they’re working.
In another instance, if they decided to take on the task of repairing their shoes, make sure they have the right tools. Make sure to give them appropriate tools and guidance in removing worn-out soles and heels and replacing them with new ones. This might be a daunting task even for an adult but with proper guidance, it’s very doable.
Bottom line? Don’t be afraid to let your child get dirty and have some fun while learning some valuable life skills in the process! With a little patience (and supervision), you might just be surprised at what they’re capable of accomplishing.
Conclusion
So what do you think—are you ready to turn your child into the next Bob Vila or Ty Pennington? Teaching them how to be handy around the house has numerous benefits, from instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment to giving them a head start on adulthood. And it’s not as difficult as you might think—just start small and arm them with child-sized versions of the right tools. Before you know it, they’ll be fixing everything in sight!
