June 14, 2015 Grandpa’s Wisdom by Steve the son of John

All Hands on Doing

I did not have a lot of store bought toys as a kid growing up. I had a train set, bike(s), sports equipment but that was about it. I had no TV or phone in my room, but I did have a pet hamster and of course we had tools in our garage that found there way into my bedroom in Fresno, CA.

My parents were not poor by any means but they ‘believed in doing not buying’. My dad made things in our backyard and garage. I spent many an evening in that two car garage watching and working with my dad making pleasure boats, a couple of house boats, and kids’ toys. I made, with the help of my dad, airplanes that I flew around house while holding them above my head. I still to this day remember what I made and what I did with my accomplishments.

There is something magical and useful about homemade items. Today, The Home Depot prides itself on doing projects together with the typical homeowner. I am a believer in building things with my hands more than buying things with my wallet.

If there is anyone thing I would like my grandkids to learn is to make things with raw earthy materials. Not technology driven but project driven. Making things using wood, metal, hand-held tools—things that take time and skill. I want my grandkids to learn ‘how and what’ makes things work, not just using things that work for them.

What makes children successful adults are those who learn to go without and were led or allowed to be creative and resourceful—to ‘make-it’ not ‘buy-it’. When we make things we use for fun, work, or necessity, we learn how things work and how to fix things that break. But more important, we define creativity for ourselves and use kinesthetic and mental skills, thereby become thinkers & entrepreneurs.

If I were a parent again with small children I would buy only those toys that forces my kids to build, make, and create. Painting is good but not graphic computer art. Lincoln logs are great but not prefab plastic model houses. Piecing together boats or airplanes that float or fly from kits with 200 pieces, not molded items that all you have to do is push a button to make them go.

Want to know why America’s educational system is struggling to be as great as it once was—we have made it too easy for our kids. We thought we were helping them, making it easier for them, giving them what we did not have rather than to build it yourself or go without.

‘Let’s start doing’ not ‘continue in buying’. Dads & moms start helping your kids with creating projects using only your hands, especially while your kids are moldable and teachable—let them see you do it. And remember Grandpa’s rule #12, always buy a few Christmas gifts that motivate a child to make & learn rather than to receive and play.

Check out my blog, wwjwmtd.com

Steven J. Wentland, Ed.D.O.L

661.248.4008

www.stevenwentland.com www.wwjwmtd.com

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