This is a start of a discussion on what kids can do here and what would be healthy to consider.
First, the intention is to have this as a space that values and protects diversity. It might be hard to come - you might think - into a workshop with your child. So this should prepare you for what you will find here to support you to come either way!
Child’s Needs
Be aware of your child’s needs:
It can be loud here
It can be dangerous
We have small rooms
This is a communal space, all users must must be mindful of others in the space from a noise and safety perspective (no screaming/shouting, running or touching people using tools etc…)
Myth Busting Main-Stream Expectations
Some activities are quite loose, child-led as far as possible, purpose driven.
You will likely not find a usual class-room situation here.
Rooms and Spaces
We have several spaces and different events. We have machines that can cause lasting injury: it is important how we behave in the space.
Generally:
Children under 16 need adult (over 18) supervision at all times
The clean room is fairly safe when tools are not being used
When visiting for the first time with children, ask for a walk-around to be able to point out the dangers
The store room should not be used by children
We have events going on here that might be for certain age groups and target audiences. These are some activities that we are happy to organise for you:
How to support kids also on the autistic spectrum and special needs.
We want to protect people.
We do not want to see people cut bloody!
Provide safe learning opportunities for tools and with each other.
implicit child care being passed on may not work
how to pass it on
how to keep kids space
how much responsibility do parents, have how much volunteers, how much Dom and council staff
answering the call for care is not necessarily what they want to do in the space
women feel guilty if children ask
cannot keep kids from interacting with others
how can people be clear about what they want to do
possible way forward:
ask people what they want to do and ask them when they are not doing it - help them navigate the space
parents check in with people who work with your children of how it is going
only use tools you are inducted on
wear clothing appropriate to task, not taste
move steadily and considerately
leave the space as you find it and better
Issue with kids:
not the taking tools without asking
moving through the space
Rule for using tools in the makerspace:
When these tools run, no children under 10 should be in the room:
lathe
chop saw
band saw
pillar drill
if children enter the room: Stop and tell them to go out!
With asking the group leader:
carving
other activities with a safe fallback (not self-running machines)
Otherwise:
Wood workshop always with clear adult supervision - means 3 paces to grab the child.
men2men: Create a safe space where people do not just enter.
TODO: Also talk to men2men about how to make this happen
Rules ok:
kids going to the toilet alone
kids can go into the kitchen alone after the guardian trusts that the kids learned how to
behave around the kettle
behave around the microwave
clean room: talking distance supervision:
do not close the door
parents can leave the room so this room is supposed to be a safe place.
shouting is an emergency measure
It is not the responsibility of the parents to make sure that people are not disturbed. They need to reach out to the Dom or the parents if they have requirements for distraction free work. It is possible but cannot be assumed and we would like kids to be able to engage with others and have a peer-learning experience.
If families come into the space, hold the group and support the play.
Help: Dom does not pick up the change in tone for kids - he is not a parent.
Dom says to parents: Can you have a chat about what the safeguarding rules are in the space and how we can support you?
intention to engage parents with each other
What kind of support does the child need?
What is not obvious of the child?
ADHD: We need to know our limits, have ready tasks to engage with.
