Should we let our children handle bushcraft knives and axes?
Outdoor Kids, the picture was shot by Vitaliy Svetlichnyy
We as a company found that kids are spending less and less time in the outdoors. According to the Canadian Public Health Association children spend 7.5 hours sedentary each day and spend less time outdoors. A study by the National Trust shows that children aged under 16 years spend 50% less time with nature than the previous generation. Why is this? With all the helicopter parenting around, parents have become more worried about what might happen to their kids and avoid situations they consider risky such as being outdoors compared to being indoors. Tripping, encountering wildlife, using tools and getting lost are all part of being in the outdoors. But, is it really that risky? Sitting on a couch indoors, engaging in various types of screen time has far greater risk for our kids’ health in the long run. As parents we have the overwhelming need to protect our children whether it is from people, places or things. Yet, as adults we also realize that developing skills, learning how to make informed choices and learning from past mistakes all help us to become responsible adults. Responsibility simply doesn’t just appear as we turn into adults like a switch, instead it is developed from early on in our childhood. Instilling a responsible attitude in kids not only engenders confidence in parents but also promotes confidence in kids as they develop life skills. This is why we at ONE WITH NATURE want to help kids develop their outdoor skills to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the nature that surrounds them.
It is true that sharp tools such as knives and axes can be dangerous if used inappropriately. However, the skills involved have a much greater benefit to children. Parents often worry about the mess or mistakes kids make and in turn take over completing tasks they consider to be ‘complex’ or ‘unsafe’. Parenting out of fear and delaying the use of these tools helps no one. Kids are more than capable of using the tools, but they need to be shown how to use them safely and properly and need the time to practice using them. Yes, that means being patient with them, yes that means they will make mistakes and yes that means they may even cut themselves (good thing we have a first aid kit). If we are willing to accept this, then we can help build our kids’ confidence and they will have developed important life skills which can be applied in a variety of purposes from food preparations to survival in the wild.
The cognitive benefits of developing knife and axe skills
Before we get into the benefits of the safe application of knives and axes in bushcraft and survival situations, let's look at how we are helping our kids from a cognitive perspective. There are many cognitive benefits to developing knife and axe skills. The primary motor cortex, which is a brain structure required in learning and executing fine movements, is responsible for all our movements and spans across the left and right hemisphere of the brain. While using bushcraft knives and axes, both sides of the brain are activated as both hands and arms are being used in different ways and here what is crucial is that learning new skills actually creates changes in our brain. We have all heard about muscle memory, but actually what is happening is new connections are being made in the motor cortex and these are strengthened in procedural memory (i.e. the ‘rules’ our motor cortex would follow to execute a skill based movement) with practice. Knife and axe skills are developed in a similar way to bike riding skills (again using procedural memory) and learning at an earlier age is preferential. So, the brain changes we see show increased development of the motor cortex.
If all that isn’t good enough for you, there is more. Hand-eye coordination is being developed as there would be increased connections between the visual and movement areas of the motor cortex. Cognitive function is also increased as calculations about balance, control, force and speed are all being made. Indeed, studies have shown a correlation between higher cognitive function and better academic performance. Basically, our kids’ brains would love learning these skills.
Knife and axe handling in bushcraft
Kids with axes, the picture was shot by Vitaliy Svetlichnyy
Now, from a more practical point of view, knife and axe skills are essential to bushcraft and wilderness survival and therefore it makes sense to learn proper handling techniques. Knowing how to make use of these sharp tools in a safe manner in the outdoors can mean everything from creating tinder to start a fire to stay warm to creating a basic shelter from the available resources in the surroundings. In essence, these tools not only help an unexpected situation become manageable but also can be life saving.
Using sharp tools requires focus and maturity and from our point of view, supervision is essential especially during the early development of this skill. No child, however old they are, should handle bushcraft knives or axes without demonstrating personal control and maturity. Although brute force is not necessary whatsoever as planned and controlled movements are used in developing these skills, kids may become frustrated. Watching a knowledgeable adult create a simple notch on a stick with a knife certainly looks easy, but in reality a child fine tuning their motor skills needs to be patient in overcoming their frustrations so it is essential for them to learn in a calm and controlled environment.
Children learning to use bushcraft knife and axe skills need to be aware of the dangers not only to themselves but also to others, so they need to be always aware of their surroundings. What is helpful is to teach kids how to complete a simple and specific task using a knife or an axe. This means they have something useful to do with their new tool and they learn about the tool’s purpose. In the end, we are looking to teach kids to respect these tools and not fear them. Mature kids will be able to understand that knife and axe handling is a serious business and will respect their tools, but it will also unlock a whole other world for them to pursue in the outdoors and they will become more confident as they develop their skills. They may even develop a new hobby such as whittling.
Letting our kids handle bushcraft knives and axes enables them to improve on their outdoor life skills. Parents should not fear the use of these tools by their kids. Encouragement starts at home and parents can show basic sharp tool handling techniques to their kids. We should work with our children to help develop these skills. Knife and axe handling is one of many skills that we teach here at ONE WITH NATURE, so your child can achieve great results with less risk. After all, we want kids to appreciate the outdoors and be more confident in their outdoor adventures.
Renita Silva, Vitaliy Svetlichnyy
