While many school systems do teach classes such as industrial arts, they seldom teach students not destined for trades how to fix items around the house. Adding a new sink requires the addition of plumbing, and rerouting electrical lines requires knowledge of how to safely work with electricity. Even small projects can have complex solutions, so teaching a child how to handle them on their own is important. This part of education is generally left up to parents, so DIY projects are a good way to help a child learn how to take care of minor issues in the home.
Remodelling has become very fashionable lately, and many family budgets will not support having all the work done by a licensed contractor. Many people prefer to hire electricians and plumbers because they find that work too complex, but framing a small addition to the house is often within their skill set. If they allow their children to assist them, they will be passing on their skills to the next generation. Children benefit because they learn how the work is done, but they also gain knowledge to help them if they ever want to build on their own. Even if they decide to hire a contractor, they will be able to understand how the work will proceed.
Small repair jobs around the house are often necessary, and allowing children an opportunity to be part of the project is educational. If they are eventually assigned their own tasks, completing them gives the child a sense of pride in their own abilities. Nailing a loose board into place might not appear to be a large job, but it might be the biggest job a child has ever tackled. Giving them confidence to do their own work is an education all on its own.
There are many ways for families to help educate their children, but DIY projects are some of the best lessons they can learn. It gives them a sense of worth when they help complete a task, and they begin to understand how and when to use tools.
