Three words of advice might be remembered by teachers beginning woodwork:
(1) Don't begin it too soon; don't begin woodwork with children of seven and eight because others do; wait until they are really ready, until they have the necessary strength. There is plenty for them to do in measuring and cutting out paper toys and toys of thin cardboard; they will enjoy the woodwork the more when it comes.
(2) Simple doll's furniture, chairs and tables, are not easy for the child to make.
(3) Leave behind as soon as possible prepared stripwood and its everlasting gates, railings, bridges, or picture frames.
Suggestions for Teachers who are beginning Woodwork with their Forms. Let the children measure out and cut a square of wood to support the merry-go-round, make the stand for the swinging boats and great wheel (Chapter XIV). Make the Noah's Ark and dog kennel described in Chapter X.
A very simple toy for beginners is a Flat-bottomed Boat. A flat, oblong piece of wood is marked out as in Fig. 193, the bow and stern are cut as indicated; the three dots down the central line indicate the position of the masts. These can be made of wooden meat skewers or of pieces of strip wood (¼" × ¼") rounded toward the top.
Fig. 193
Nails are driven through the bottom of the boat so that they project about half an inch above the surface; on to these points the masts are hammered, having first had a little glue applied to the base; nails are hammered carefully round the sides for railings, with cotton intertwined. Funnels of red paper, little squares of wood for cabins, paper or cardboard lifebuoys and anchors, a captain's bridge, etc., may be added (see Fig. 194).
