Is there such a thing as too young?

Question

My daughter will be 7 in July and is very inquisitive about everything. She loves to watch me tinker and mess about and asks the usual what, why and how when watching. She's shown a lot of interest in helping, and on a whim I ordered a simple soldering kit for her to put together. Needles to say, the wife was unimpressed with the purchase and questioned my sanity at the thought of our child with a hot tool of destruction in her hands.

So what do you think, with proper guidance, is she too young?

Rick

Fred27 · Accepted Answer

If she's sensible and you're helping her then I don't see why not. Maybe preempt another potential objection from you wife by ensuring you have good fume extraction too.

michaelkellett · Answer

It's quite young, I think I was about 10 or 11 when I got my first soldering iron. But I don't think it's too young if the child is keen - certainly 7 year olds can cook so why not solder ? MK

Fred27 · Answer

Mine are 6 and 8 too, and that's bringing out the competitive dad in me. I'll be ordering mine some of these to keep them busy whilst they're off school. No TV until you can solder 0402! A bonus hour if you get the 0201 LED blinking.

shabaz · Answer

Hi Rick, I agree too, if the child is interested and sensible, and with fume extraction, it should be fine under supervision. Here a 6-year old and 8-year old soldered up a radio - there's a slight difference in dexterity for sure between these two ages, but the 6-year old did fine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mxVHCmROlk&feature=youtu.be Also, safety glasses for kids are available, these ones fitted both the ages: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Y0NB82C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

msebok · Answer

No different than working with your kids during craft time and teaching them how to use scissors. Good on you, teach them while they are young!

balearicdynamics · Answer

Here at Ignegno maker lab, they work with libraries and schools teaching to 6 y.o kids the basics of electronics (with a very good method I should say) as well as understanding the difference between components and how to solder them to make circuits. And they are perfectly healthy. Enrico

dougw · Answer

If she is interested, it is a perfect opportunity to get her started. She is certainly old enough to learn the techniques and safety precautions, as long as she gets enough information (assuming no prior knowledge). I wasn't quite that young (about 8 or 9) when I learned to repair the carburetor in an outboard motor by soldering the brass jet holder/nozzle with a large iron. (we had no repair depots in the jungle where I lived) I was motivated - if I wanted to use the boat, (which I desperately did) I had to keep the 1.5 HP motor running.

DAB · Answer

She is at a good age when she can begin to learn how things work. Give her all the encouragement you can and help her learn good problem solving skills. Engineers are born, not made. It sounds like she has the potential to be an engineer. DAB

jomoenginer · Answer

I don't believe there is an age range for learning soldering, but being mindful of teaching the safe handling and techniques of soldering equipment is vital. Most companies I have been at required one to go through a training class or two before touching a soldering iron. However, as an Engineer, most places I have been at recently do not allow Engineers to touch a soldering iron in a lab; there are folks that specialize in that. Using a solderless breadboard or similar item might be a nice trade-off for anyone in the house hold that might be a bit hisitant with handling a soldering tool. Personally, I don't like using the old, "In My day" thing to reference what was allowed when I was a youngin' since many of the chemicals and tools one could purchase as a minor are now banned or require special certs to purchase. Looks like Scholastic has got in on the Kid Maker thing.although most of the pics don't seem to show. https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/learning-toolkit-blog/kid-maker-how-to-solder.html This looks interesting as well: ( there is a list of kits toward the bottom of the page under "Soldering for Kids Learning Kits" : Soldering for Kids: Brief Guide for Parents and Teachers

Sean_Miller · Answer

Definitely start early. Now that cars are reliable and phones and games consoles take all the attention, most kids never turn a wrench, change their oil, or even lift a hood all the way into adulthood. Raising a maker will certainly set her apart in this ever distracted world. My boy and I had this thing called "8 at 8" where we'd spend 8 minutes of me teaching him something new at 8 at night (when I'd most likely be home). Could be anything - chess, difference between screwdrivers, basketball, changing brakes, etc. It grew to making life size R2D2's and Indy games together. Every birthday and Christmas, I get him a specialty tool, starting with a good little tool box. At 15, he is in a double-decker toolbox with some great tools that couldn't be afforded any other way. Never too young to start. See ya', Sean

clem57 · Answer

With adult supervision, this is fine for that age. Provide some simple guidelines and awareness to potential risks along the way.

colporteur · Answer

I can only provide some experience in dealing with grade 6 to 9 students.

I find they have a difficultly making the jump from gaining knowledge to applying the knowledge.

An example.

I Mentor a Computer Club at a local school. The subject was BIOS. After the discussion they were required to change BIOS setting by applying the knowledge of BIOS and make changes. They were lost. Going back and focusing on the system clock gave them a reference point to grasp BIOS.

The topic was networking. The students practised using the ping command across a number of hosts with different operating systems. The final exercise was to determine between two computers what network card was not working. They found it difficult to apply the learning.

I'm not a trained early age educator. Setting up the computer club after I retired is my first major experience. I am finding I'm adjusting my expectation as we progress on how fast they can gain knowledge and then apply it.

One other example. Describe the operation of the linux software apt or apt-get. Then ask them to install a program. They have no idea what to do. Even after you demonstrate apt install <program>

clem57 · Answer

For younger people, try to make the objectives smaller in scope without jumping into inference. I did a lot of teaching, and can say that inference is hard to explain and show. But a recipe can be followed.

Clem