I have a thirty something son who spend time in the shop from an early age starting with planning projects and then I would help. He had one accident with a carving knife but never on scroll saw or bandsaw. Each child is different and this has to be taken into account. I treated children and adolescents for years and can say one¡¯s ability to concentrate and use impulse control is critical to how much you allow them to do. At the beach the kid who goes in without caution versus the kid who watches the waves and goes in cautiously are very different in the shop as well. Supervision until you know they understand the risks and have the level of concentration is important. I would say they also have to have enough insight to know when they are tired or frustrated.
It was interesting for me to be in another luthiers shop with people standing around talking and I cut the wrong scale for a guitar on my fretboard with a two sided template the other day. Came back the next day when it was quiet. I typically work in silence without music. Others do better with music.
There was a great study back in the 70¡¯s where they were testing concentration in kids. The think that worked the best was when they played Strawberry Fields Forever. Not sure I believed it but loved that they tried that song.
Philip Davidson
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Philip
davidsonukuleles.com
