By George E. Emanuel
Every day, parents across this vast land ponder this question like it’s the ultimate brain teaser. And boy, do they get a mixed bag of answers! But fear not, my fellow parental pioneers, for I, a seasoned instructor who’s turned many a tot into a sharpshooter, am here to sprinkle some wisdom on this query and help you launch your young one into the thrilling world of marksmanship.
Picture this: the sheer ecstasy on a child’s face as they squeeze that trigger and HIT the target, a soda can, a balloon, or heck, even a charcoal briquette! It’s pure magic! I’ve had kids as young as six spend a whole day blasting away, grinning from ear to ear like its Christmas morning.
Sure, some skeptics might scoff, “But George, a child can’t handle a rifle safely! They’re pint-sized!” And yeah, they might not be able to hold up a rifle safely, but who says they can’t line up a shot and pull a trigger? It just takes a dash of creativity on our part.
As a former Shoot Boss with Project Appleseed, I’ve had my fair share of experience wrangling both youngsters and their folks. Project Appleseed may be geared toward grown-ups, but with a sprinkle of imagination, it’s as kid-friendly as a clown at a birthday party.
Here’s the secret sauce: we’d hype up the child by asking if they wanted to be our designated sniper. Like clockwork, uncertainty would morph into a grin the size of Texas, with parents hovering nearby just in case. And when parental dynamics weren’t picture-perfect, we’d enlist Junior Instructors to play wingman, helping the kids with whatever heavy lifting they couldn’t manage. For HUGE amounts of success, a rifle with a red dot is fantastic. Put the dot on what you want to hit and bang, one more target under the child’s belt of confidence and fun!
We’d MacGyver up some support using sandbags, scrap lumber, or even pool noodles, transforming a wee one into a sharpshooting prodigy. With parents or Junior Instructors at their side, the kids were in their element, having a blast while learning the ropes.
If parents were able to help we’d put them on the mat with their child, they’d load magazines, oversee the child’s safety, and help with anything necessary. Dad and son or daughter were great together, but my heart went all mushy when mom was helping her daughter. That was really special.
By doing this with the parents, the mom and/or dad could be assisted by knowledgeable instructors in how best to help the child at home.
At day’s end, everyone was beaming with pride, knowing they’d given those kids the time of their lives. Multiple kids on the line? No sweat, we’d make it work.
So, how old should a child be before they’re handed a firearm? Simple: as soon as they ask! When was the last time a child asked for something, they weren’t eager to dive into headfirst? If they can follow directions and hold their focus, forget about their size. You’re a parent, a problem-solving wizard. I’ve thrown you a few ideas—now go out there and unleash the ‘Range Monkey’ in your child!
And hey, if you’re itching for more info, check out www.appleseedinfo.org or www.reveresriders.org. They might just have what you need to kick start your kiddo’s shooting adventure, no matter where you are in this great land of ours!