SAFETY
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SAFETY FIRST
I have made a lot of things over the years. I even worked as a high school shop teacher for years. I have cut myself, burned myself, painted myself, hammered my fingers, fallen off things, you name it.
Not long ago, I was sawing out a window opening and a chunk of wood flew from the circular saw and found its way under my ball cap, over my glasses, and hit me hard in the left eye. I nearly took myself to the emergency room, but finally started to feel better a few hours later. The point of the story is that I was using appropriate safety equipment and technique, and sometimes things can still happen. So please understand that any time you are using a tool, there is risk involved. Proper safety equipment and tool handling make that risk low, failure to take precautions increases the risk of injury dramatically. Be safe and use common sense! If you aren't comfortable doing a step that I am showing, it is better to be safe than sorry. I am not responsible for any injuries/loss of property/bad juju!
ARE TOOLS SAFE FOR KIDS?
Yup.
Let's take a common dangerous tool...the pocket knife. Once a child's hands are strong enough to safely hold and manipulate a pocket knife, he or she could begin to learn. The sooner he or she is taught to use it, the better (imho). Close adult supervision, rules, demonstrating what to do and not to do, and coaching are crucial.
The benefits to learning to use tools (especially knives) are significant. First, your child will know how to handle sharp objects. At some point, he or she will come across a knife, sharp piece of metal, open scissors, or other cutting device without an adult's supervision. It is far better for them to enter into this situation with training on how to handle sharp things safely.
The second benefit is in the development of confidence. I remember being anxious when I was beginning to drive. Anxious when I learned to cook, first gave a speech, started hunting, and more. Each time that I gained an ability, that anxiety went away and was replaced with enjoyment/fulfillment/peace/satisfaction/good feelings about me.
Every skill a child learns teaches their brain how to learn the next similar skill. Hands-on and visual learning are being identified as the preferential modes of learning by students more than ever. This type of skill development is an important precursor to learning a skilled trade. The current trend is that the demand for university degrees is decreasing and the demand for vocational degrees is sharply rising. A student that already commands knowledge of general safety, basic tool knowledge, and how to work to accomplish a goal will go far in the economy that emerges in another decade.
In conclusion, yes, I believe that kids can use tools safely. My oldest daughter uses our bandsaw with my help. All my kids can use a cordless drill (my 4 year-old even has his own). Everyone uses hammers, screwdrivers, and pliers. They have to be taught. Every learning child needs an adult to teach them each tool. If you aren't comfortable with a tool, work to figure it out before you teach your kid! When they have a good knowledge base, experience, and are older, they can start figuring out tools for themselves.