When I was a child, around seven or eight years old, I often found myself perched at my mother’s desk, captivated by a small lamp that illuminated the space. This desk lamp, with its bright bulb and metallic shade, radiated heat that intrigued me. I would tear bits of paper and hold them to the hot metal, relishing in the sight of charred edges that formed.
On one fateful occasion, an ember flickered to life on a piece of my burnt paper. Never having encountered an actual flame, I panicked, tossing the paper aside and alerting my family to a “fire,” which resulted in quite the commotion. Thankfully, the ember extinguished itself quickly, but I faced a stern lecture on fire safety. From that day on, I steered clear of that lamp.
However, was fear the most effective way to safeguard my family from a potential firestarter? Probably not. Even as an adult, I still approach flames with caution. If that ember had posed a more significant threat, it would have been far more beneficial for me to have known how to manage the situation rather than flee in terror.
This brings me to a recent initiative I read about in the New York Times regarding a program in Berlin aimed at teaching children about fire safety through supervised play. Kieran Thompson, an artist leading these workshops, allows children to engage with fire in a controlled environment. The objective is to demystify fire for kids, helping them learn not only how to create fire safely but also how to respond appropriately in emergencies. Unlike me, some children might be less vocal about their curiosity. They may hide their experiments with fire, which could lead to dangerous situations.
In many places, including the U.S., children are often taught to completely avoid fire until they reach a certain age. During a recent school trip to our local fire station, the focus was primarily on what to do if a fire is spotted, with little emphasis on how to handle fire safely. This aversion to fire might stem from a desire to keep children safe, but it neglects the fact that children are naturally curious and often prefer hands-on learning.
So, which approach is right? There’s no substantial data to support either side definitively. Personally, I find the concept of guiding children through fire experiences in a safe, supervised setting appealing. I’m not suggesting we fill a toy box with lighters and kerosene, but rather, allowing children to learn about fire safety can help eliminate the allure of the forbidden fruit. By removing the secretive nature surrounding fire, we can foster understanding and respect.
My children are still quite young—only 4 and 2 years old. While I appreciate the value of teaching them about fire, I believe they are currently too young to comprehend the lessons. My eldest already displays tendencies of anxiety similar to mine, so introducing him to matches right now would likely lead to chaos. However, I plan to demonstrate safe practices, like lighting a candle, to reinforce the basic principles of fire safety he already grasps.
As we navigate this journey, we’ll eventually work our way up to more advanced lessons.
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Summary
Teaching children about fire through supervised play may reduce the risks associated with secretive experimentation. While young kids may not be ready for direct interaction, demonstrating safe practices can lay a foundation for future learning.