There is no doubt that the benefits of carpentry in early childhood far outweigh the risks.

In fact, woodwork is actually quite a low risk activity when introduced and supervised correctly!

Of course, there may be minor injuries such as banged fingers, splinters or small cuts from time to time. But, it’s all part of the learning process! 

Children can be taught to respect the carpentry area and be taught to use tools carefully and appropriately. Children actually feel a real sense of pride and responsibility when trusted to use real tools and their behaviour generally reflects this as they rise to the challenge.

Here are some guidelines to help you and your children feel safe around tools:
 

• Use tools that are an appropriate size so that they aren’t struggling with something too big or too heavy for them to manage.

• When starting out, introduce tools one at a time. Let your child get familiar and confident in using the tool safely before moving on to the next tool.

• Let your child examine the tool, gently feel the sharp teeth of a saw, feel the weight of the hammer and watch how the hand drill moves.

• Call the tool by its correct name, explain what it does and show how it works.

• Talk about how to carry the tool safely and how to hold it correctly.

• Explain the rules of each tool. A saw is only used for sawing wood. A hammer is only for hammering nails into the craft wood.

• Provide appropriate adult supervision depending on the age and skill level of your children.

• Closed shoes must be worn when woodworking

• Safety glasses must be worn at all times

• Wear earmuffs if hammering is loud and vigorous

• Every tool has its own special purpose and should only be used for that purpose

• No tools should be lifted above head height

• When sawing, timber must be held securely in a vice 

• Never run with tools

• Do not remove tools from the carpentry area. Peg boards with the outline of each tool drawn on it are fantastic. Children know where each tool belongs and adults can easily see if something is missing.