February 25, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Start 'em young

by Molly Tanenbaum

"W hat are the rules on the work site?" Palo Altan Eric Jensen asked his twin 7-year-old daughters at a Saturday Home Depot Kids Workshop.

"The number one rule is 'Safety First!' The number two rule is 'No Crying!'" Kaitlin and Jessica exclaimed in unison.

Jensen brings his girls to The Home Depot in East Palo Alto on the first Saturday of each month to build crafts and learn do-it-yourself skills. The workshops are free, and children accompanied by their parents build a different project each month, from snowman napkin holders to birdhouses.

On Feb. 5, kids and parents constructed heart-shaped corner shelves for Valentine's Day. Each project is related to the month, explained 9-year-old Elana Grabel of Redwood City. She and her father have attended several workshops together.

"I like that Elana's learning how to use a hammer," said her father, David Grabel.

The workshops take place outside in front of The Home Depot; passersby can follow the loud hammering sounds and children's animated voices to discover two low plywood tables surrounded by busy parents and apron-clad kids of all ages working together. Fifty to 100 kids attend each month, according to a Home Depot spokesperson.

The Saturday workshop gives parents and children the chance to bond over a shared project. Jensen supervised and encouraged both of his daughters while they hammered their shelves together.

"Daddy, I did it!" Kaitlin said with delight when she hammered in a nail all the way.

"Right on, babe!" he replied.

Jensen pointed out that the Kids Workshops reinforce safety skills he teaches Kaitlin and Jessica when they work on projects at home.

"These guys are great little helpers with me," he said.

Part of the workshop's appeal is the bright orange Home Depot apron each child receives at the first session. The store encourages repeat visitors by handing out achievement pins upon completion of the day's project. Experienced kids bring their pin-covered aprons each month and add to their collection.

Wearing the orange apron was a highlight of the workshop for 3-year-old Sarah Bodmer.

"At home when we cook, she wears an apron so she likes wearing the apron here," said her mother, Connie, of Mountain View.

Thomas and Connie Bodmer happened upon the workshop with their 3-year-old and decided to participate. While Thomas shopped for gadgets, Connie built the heart shelf with Sarah.

The Bodmers used the opportunity to teach Sarah beginning safety skills.

"We told her 'No fingers by the nail,'" Thomas said. The family hopes to return next month.

Though workshops are intended for 6 to 12-year-olds, the Bodmers were not the only family present with younger children in February.

Mandeep Dhillon of Redwood City has been bringing his 3-year-old son, Zoraver, to the Kids Workshops for months. This time he also brought the newest edition to the Dhillon family, Zoraver's little sister, Hazuri, who is 5 months old. While Hazuri napped in her stroller, Dhillon and Zoraver built the heart shelf together.

"Will we make this for Mommy?" Dhillon asked his son. "For her birthday? Or is it for Valentine's Day?"

Dhillon secured the nail in place and gave Zoraver control of the hammer. The 3-year-old furled his brow, concentrating on the difficult task. He reluctantly hammered, making contact about half the time. Hammering, according to Dhillon, is one of Zoraver's favorite activities.

"I like knocking," Zoraver said. The eight pins on his apron revealed his experience.

Each moment presented a learning opportunity for kids at the workshop. Dhillon asked Zoraver how many times they had attended the Home Depot Kids Workshop to practice counting.

"How many [projects] have you made? Can you count them?" he said.

Dhillon likes participating in the father-son activity with Zoraver, who is eager to return to the workshop each month.

"It's more fun because it's a controlled environment so there aren't distractions. It's safe, do-it-yourself skills. He really looks forward to it. Plus the people are really nice here," Dhillon said.

Because they come every month, Dhillon and Zoraver have gotten to know Amis Maldonado, the Home Depot employee who runs the workshop. Maldonado has worked at The Home Depot for two years and enjoys seeing familiar faces like Zoraver's on the first Saturday of each month.

Maldonado views the workshops as a chance for parents and kids to spend quality time together.

"We try to make it so the parents stay and help out. It's something quick that they can do together," she said.

Each month, workshop attendance increases. Maldonado recommended arriving early because supplies are limited.

"It gets bigger and bigger every month through word of mouth. People tell their neighbors and they tell their friends," she said. "We try to make it from 9 to 2 but we run out pretty quickly."

The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, and the project will be building a wooden race car, just in time for the beginning of NASCAR season. Editorial intern Molly Tanenbaum can be reached at mtanenbaum@paweekly.com.

What: Kids Workshops When: First Saturday of month; next one is March 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Home Depot, 1781 E. Bayshore Road, East Palo Alto Cost: Free Info: www.homedepot.com

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