Doing DIY with kids is one of those ideas that sounds very wholesome when people picture it in their heads, and then very real the second somebody can’t find the pencil, somebody else is asking if this takes “like, five minutes”, and there’s a child standing there looking extremely confident about a job they’ve absolutely never done before. It’s cute, but at the same time, it’s super stressful too. Sure, when it comes to DIY, there are more than enough obstacles, but at the same time, the biggest obstacle with your kid is just getting to the point where they’ll take it seriously, rather than thinking of it as playtime.
More and more kids weren’t taught DIYs, so you stepping them and showing them really does give a leg up, it’s just one of those parenting skills that’s rarely getting passed down nowadays. And still, with all of that said, it’s usually worth it anyway, because children really do love being included in something that feels real. There are sweet memories, and they’ll learn from them. But what can they learn from being a helping hand with all of this, though?
They Learn that Not Everything Happens Instantly
And this is probably one of the biggest things kids pick up from DIY, because so much of modern life moves ridiculously fast. Think about it, tap the screen, get the answer. Press the button, get the show. Ask for the thing, expect the thing to appear almost immediately. You get the point, but it’s not like that for DIY, though. Instead, it’s so much longer.
Because first something has to be measured, then checked, then lined up, then probably checked again because somebody definitely got a bit overconfident the first time. It takes time, but they get used to the fact that there won’t be instant gratification when it comes to any of this.
They Learn that Instructions Can’t be Ignored
Well, ignored, and that sometimes, you just can’t wing things. Like if you need pan head screws, well, that’s specifically what you need, and no alternative is going to work, and choosing a random type of screw will work either, or nails for that matter. Adults are guilty of it too, but when you learn as a kid, it just sticks better that the instructions can’t be ignored and things just can’t be winged if you want it to actually turn out good.
That’s what makes it stick. It’s not some abstract idea about listening better or paying more attention. It’s right there in front of them. If the measuring gets rushed, the piece sits wrong. If the wrong bits get handed over, progress slows down. If the steps get mixed up, the job gets messier. Sure, they learn this at school to a small degree, but they can really see the errors of their way at home if you’re doing it with them.
They Get to Feel Properly Useful
Which, of course, is the best part of it all! But yeah, children really do light up when they feel like they’re genuinely needed, and yes, it’s even better if they’re not just holding things, but they’re quite literally being hands-on just like you. And it really can do so much for their confidence to, like, it absolutely can! And it helps to know that kind of pride feels different from vague praise, because it’s attached to something solid, well, something tangible that’s going to remind them of their hard work.