Ghee Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 I read an article that encouraged parents to allow their children to take things apart. It said that this was a good way for them to puzzle things out, even if they couldn't put it back together in working order. I know my youngest would love to do this sort of thing, and might even get most of it back together, but I'm at a loss for what items to look for to offer him. Also, what tools would a child use for this (supervised, of course)? This isn't my area of expertise, I'm not mechanically minded in the least, but he most certainly is. Every time a repairman or trademan of any kind comes to the house he is glued to them. He wants to watch them and ask what they are doing, what their tools do, and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 I always let my oldest son take things apart when he was little. I would get broken appliances or electronics and hand him some screwdrivers, pliers and other tools. It would keep him busy for hours. He just graduated from a very well respected college with a degree in electrical engineering.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellalarella Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 My oldest has always been found taking things apart. Now that he is an 8th grader, it is really starting to pay off. When a kid in the neighborhood breaks a toy or needs a bike fixed--they come running to him. Even the other parents on the block will ask him to fix things. But thank goodness he finally started putting things back together...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Cordless phones, old cameras, video cameras, VCRs, toasters, parts of computers and monitors, old push mowers. As for tools, different types of pliers, screwdrivers, tweezers, and wire cutters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Oh goodness, most recently my son took apart an old lamp. He's been working on dismantling his old bike for months. He loves collecting random parts of things for his "project box." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Old phones, toasters, coffee pots, radios, anything he can find that is broken except computer monitors. The old ones have a lot of lead in them, so I do not let him have those. So far we do not sbe any newer broken computer monitors lol. He must wear rubber gloves and a face mask, but he does not care as long as he gets to take stuff apart. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 what, depends upon age of child. toys, electronic toys, electronics, computers, small appliances, etc. dh's grandfather bought many such items at thrift stores for fil to take apart. 1ds used to take computers apart and take pieces from one and combine them. he was early tween/teen. always used regular screw drivers in multiple sizes, wrenches, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 DH and Pigby take things apart when they're broken. So far they've done a computer tower, a CD player, a vacuum, and a hair dryer. As he gets older, I'll probably buy stuff at the thrift store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) Anything that breaks down and beyond repair, dh lets the boys take apart. Anything from old appliances to broken down lawn equipment. Edited June 17, 2012 by lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyThreeSons Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Car mechanics can be a great source. Our guy knows that whenever he has to replace anything, I'd like to keep the broken parts for my son to explore. He puts them in a plastic bag to keep my van's carpet clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 My children have taken things apart from a very young age. things they have taken apart include car motors, lawn mower motors, millions of bicycles, laser printer, speakers ( they love getting the large magnets out of those old speakers) the list goes on and on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 ok, but how do I get my kid to release some of the clutter/junk after he has taken it apart and can not put it back together? There's about pounds of phones in his room that he has taken apart and tried to put back together repeatedly and he doesn't want to get rid of a single piece! I'm nervous to give him more items because I don't want to junk in my house forever. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghee Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 Those are excellent ideas. We have some old computer pieces, an old phone, and one of his old bikes. I think we have a broken Vcr, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deniseibase Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 ok, but how do I get my kid to release some of the clutter/junk after he has taken it apart and can not put it back together? There's about pounds of phones in his room that he has taken apart and tried to put back together repeatedly and he doesn't want to get rid of a single piece! I'm nervous to give him more items because I don't want to junk in my house forever. Any suggestions? Just tell him that's the price - if he want new stuff to take apart, he needs to toss the old stuff to make room. And then don't let him have anything new to take apart until he gets rid of the old stuff. My kids take stuff apart too, pretty much anything broken. Old modems, alarm clock, toasters, hair dryers, whatever. Ask friends to save broken things for you if you run low - we always have a 'take-apart' box in the garage of various stuff. One time we had a furnace blower motor. That was done with dad's supervision out in the garage because it very oily!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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