WITH A CHISEL IN HAND — by Steve Nadis
I recently helped a friend build a loom for our daughters’ preschool class. It was a fun project, partly because I got the chance to use a chisel for the first time. I don’t own such a tool, though my friend has a very well-stocked workbench. I used the chisel to etch out some 88 grooves in the two pieces of wood that comprised the loom. I liked the feel of that tool in my hand, its shape, weight, and sleek functionality. In fact, as I clutched the implement, I gained a better appreciation of the old saw (old hammer?): When you’re holding a chisel, every problem looks like a groove.
Posted by in 14:55:29
A loom? In a preschool? Do they even have the manual dexterity or hand/eye coordination necessary for a loom at that age? Man, you are really pushing your kids. Relax. Allow them to have a childhood. Think sandbox and fingerpaints.
It wasn’t my idea; I just followed orders. And at least the teachers seem to like it.
Actually, handwork like working on a loom, knitting, weaving, and other such activities is good for kids; it helps to develop hand/eye coordination and strengthens hands for fine motor work (such as coloring and writing). Plus,it’s a great experience of textures and colors. I absolutely believe in sandboxes and fingerpainting, but handwork is a great addition. Back in the “old” days children did a lot of handwork. Now it seems that for too many of them the only work their little hands do is press buttons on computer games.
Thanks for the note, Daphne. Although I was “just following orders,” I did think it was a good thing. And I agree w/you: I almost never let my kids near those computer games. “Why not make some potholders instead?” I often suggest.
The key thing here, OldRoses, is that this is the chance for the kids to contribute to society. They make as much as a nickel a day working the loom, they don’t waste their youth learning stupid pre-K skills like reading or counting, and they can take pride in knowing that their products will be used to increase profits for Walmart and Nike and all the other mainstays of our great American economy. So give Snake a break. It’s not like he’s making the kids weave burkas or anything . . . yet.
Wow, Gatemouth, thanks for laying out the big picture here. You have opened my eyes.