What Do Machines Do All Day?
What’s inside...
What Do Machines Do All Day? by Jo Nelson is a children's book that explores the fascinating world of machines and how they work in various settings. Through engaging illustrations and informative text, the book takes young readers on a journey to discover the roles of different machines in everyday life, from household appliances to construction equipment, and from farm machinery to high-tech robots. The book aims to educate children about the functions and importance of machines, sparking curiosity and an interest in technology and engineering.
Discussion points
What do you think a day in the life of a robot might look like?
If you could invent a machine, what would it do?
How do you think machines help people in their everyday lives?
Which machine from the book did you find the most interesting, and why?
Can you imagine a world without machines? What would that be like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Allow your child to express their thoughts freely without interruption, fostering a deeper understanding of the book's themes.
Use real-world examples of machines around your home or community to make connections to the machines discussed in the book.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite machine from the book, explaining how they believe it functions.
Ask your child to think about how different their day-to-day activities would be without machines, promoting critical thinking about technology's role in our lives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding technology and machines
Explanation: The book explores different machines used in various industries, demonstrating their functions and importance.
Real-World Application: Children learn about the role of technology in everyday life, fostering curiosity about how things work and possibly inspiring future careers in technology or engineering.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Illustrations show machines working together to achieve common goals, reflecting the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of collaborating with others to accomplish tasks more efficiently in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The book presents scenarios where machines solve specific problems, such as construction or farming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can apply problem-solving skills learned from these examples to overcome obstacles in their own lives, encouraging critical thinking and resilience.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for diverse jobs
Explanation: By showcasing various machines and their roles, the book highlights the diversity of occupations and the significance of different jobs in society.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate diverse careers and understand that all jobs contribute to society, broadening their perspectives about potential future careers.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book uses engaging illustrations and creative scenarios involving machines, sparking imagination.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their creativity in everyday play and learning, improving their ability to think innovatively.