Woodcarving is not something I thought I would ever do. It still isn't, really, but in my quest to find a handicraft that my son will work at willingly, here we are. I bought the video months ago, and put the book and carving knives on his wish list, and he got them for Christmas! Thanks to the grandparents :)
So far, he has watched the first few chapters on safety and the basics a couple of times, and has been practicing holding the knives and making small cuts. Just this week, he progressed to making an actual shape, which he says will be a sword. The video has the first object as a bird, but hey, he's a 10 year old boy, so sword it is!
Why do we spend time doing things like sewing, painting, leatherworking and woodcarving? Because all learning does not come from books. Its important for a child, or adult for that matter, to have areas of competence, and to be able to contribute beautiful, useful things to the world. Not to mention the dexterity it builds, the habit of attention, and more. We are creative beings, and need outlets in which to be creative! I like to knit and scrapbook, but those don't appeal to my son in the least, so we are trying different things, looking for the one or two things that he can really love and stick with over the next several years, if not for his whole lifetime. It may remain a hobby, or it could turn into a supplemental income. Only God knows!
This post is linked to Learning By Hand at Crossing the Brandywine, a fellow CM educator's blog.
How good to have all the proper tools & what a neat present! It's great you're starting him at a young age. You might find you have a master craftsman on your hands by the time he's in his teens!
ReplyDeleteI meant to ask - what type if wood is he using??
ReplyDeleteClear Pine Craft Wood, I think from Hobby Lobby. Just because we had some in the house. Balsa wood is best to start with, but before we found the pine he was using really thing sheets of balsa just to practice the motions. Thin sheets are not what you want, but blocks that are easy to hold.
DeleteThanks, Laura :)
Delete"We are creative beings, and need outlets in which to be creative!" I love this line! And my son is also interested in woodworking, so I'm off to check out that video you linked. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteWe are having a guest over for dinner in a few weeks that is a carver, and I am so excited to learn this skill and introduce it to my older children as well. Where did you get your set of carving knives?
ReplyDeleteThey were gifts, but I know they came from Amazon. Search for beginners woodcarving sets- there are several options! Enjoy your visitor!
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