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Take-Apart

Take-Apart was just part of a "shop" class. I would have about 8 kids at a time, 3-6 years old. The older ones helped the younger. 2 or 3 would be woodworking, 2 or 3 taking things apart, 1 or 2 doing a science experiment, maybe one at the chalk board and/or 1 or 2 doing puzzles, and/or using the electricity box or tire pump work or some tool exercise. A lot of things going at once; not more than three at a time taking things apart.

TOOLS Screwdrivers: good quality, several of each size (small, medium and large) and style (slotted and philips). Goggles for each child Work bench. A solid table will work. The top surface should not be slippery. If you have a table but are worried about marring the surface clamp a piece of plywood over it to protect the top. An old solid core door screwed to saw horses will also serve for a workbench. Be sure the table is low enough for kids to be able to see what they are doing. A sign showing which way to turn the screws. This should be taped where the kids can't miss it. I draw this diagram right on the workbench top. Wire cutters. Children love to cut wires. Brace with magnetic bit holder and various screwdriver bits (see "Screwdrivers"). The brace will loosen those screws you can't loosen with a screwdriver. Hold it straight up and down, push down hard and turn it sharply. If it slips you are probably not pushing down hard enough. It is a hard tool for kids to use, so mostly I'll use it, but kids want to try it and sometimes they can do it. Vice grips. When you can't get a screw out with the brace, the vice grips will usually do it. Because it often ruins the screw I tell the kids I'm cheating, which they seem to enjoy. Some of these tools are expensive, but wood workers, handymen or mechanics often have extras and can sometimes be talked out of them for a good cause. Ask around.

BEFORE THE KIDS ARRIVE Cut off the electric cord and dispose of it where no kids can find it. There should be no possible way for either the cord or the appliance being taken apart to be plugged in. Remove all exposed glass, bulbs or tubes and keep removing these as the appliance comes apart. Make a recycling box for metal parts. Make a box for "good stuff" and use this for sculpture and science projects.

GETTING STARTED Place tools, and radio, tape deck, or whatever you are going to take apart, on the workbench. Two or three kids, goggles on. Show them which screws to do first. Safety lecture: I'm constantly talking about safety: be careful of your fingers, don't beat or pry, don't do this at home unless your Mom or dad is right there, electricity is dangerous, protect your eyes.

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS Problem: Screws are too tight. Solution: You loosen them with brace or vice grips Problem: Turning screws the wrong way. Solution: Say wrong way and point to sign. This happens often. Problem: They get stuck. I.e. they can't find all the screws that are holding the separate pieces to together. Solution: I systematically go over whatever part they are working on and find the screws. Usually they are quite obvious. Sometimes I'll have to go back quite a few times but they get the idea and often laugh at themselves for not seeing the obvious. After they've had a little practice there will usually be two or three kids that can take a VCR completely apart with very little help. I'll only have to help with typewriters, which are quite complicated. Problem: You get stuck. Solution: Put it away and look at it again tomorrow. If that doesn't work, ask a parent, mechanic, carpenter, or handyman for help. Problem: Kids want to take things home. Solution: I usually let kids take one thing home per day. If I don't have this rule it can sometimes turn into a collection frenzy. On the other hand if a child has worked hard to remove several pieces from a VCR and has a plan for their use, I'll make an exception. Remain flexible on this one. Sometimes it is necessary to explain to parents the value of take-apart and junk. Problem: Kids want to beat or pry to take something apart. Solution: Don't let them. A little gentle prying is OK if everyone is wearing goggles, but beating or prying is generally a sign of frustration. Show them how to find whatever is holding the appliance together.

Take-apart is one of the most rewarding things I've done with children. I started take-apart with my son and the neighborhood children, and in response to their enthusiasm I have been expanding it ever since. It appeals to a child's imagination and expands their skills. It fosters problems solving, self reliance and cooperation. It naturally leads to many other rewarding activities: sculpture, recycling, science and electricity experiments, mechanics and perhaps most important, it's FUN!

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