In addition to going outside, my dad giving me all sorts of broken things and telling me to take them apart taught me so much. Keyboards, old computers, toys, etc. It may be harder now, but I recall opening up broken toys and you could visibly see or smell out a blown cap. Opening things shows that things aren't magic.

I second this. Although I think maybe 4 or 5 may be a more apt age, my father gave me his old curtis screwdriver set, and let me take apart various electronics they were phasing out at work. Your local recycling center may also provide some good scrap to work with. I know it's less and less common nowadays, but you should try to give him older electronics, as they have larger components, and more obvious traces to follow with a finger. I'd assume there are still plenty of people throwing out old handsets and dvrs at your local recycling center.

Also here is possibly the most influential gift my father ever got for me: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002LUAL6?tag=duckduckgo-d-20&lin...

Our hardware store carried them, and it comes with solder and an iron. After learning how to solder, I taught myself how to scrap old motherboards, and amassed a sizeable collection of used components which I still reuse now. We weren't too component about this thing when I was little, but you should probably also get him some gloves and a hepa filter hood so he dosen't burn himself or inhale anything bad.

taking things apart is so important. Give him the knack!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx6HojLBsnw

Don't chase birds for fun

I didn't mention it, but a search for "waterfowl guide children" brought up 90% American sites about killing ducks. So chasing them seems like a minor issue.

(Adding "site:uk" to the search gives 90% results about feeding ducks.)

I can't find any official advice on whether chasing birds is considered healthy or harmful to either the child or the birds.

> I can't find any official advice on whether chasing birds is considered healthy or harmful to either the child or the birds.

Empathy is a very important skill for children to learn; it's not at all natural. Getting them into the habit of thinking about the feelings of animals is part of the habit of getting them into the habit of thinking about the feelings of other humans as well. Conditioning them to enjoy the distress of animals, by contrast, seems like it would prime them to enjoy the distress of other humans as well.

As far as animals: I think it's harmful for wild animals to be too familiar with humans. If I'm in a park and am approached by any animals begging, I always chase them away -- not for fun, and not even for my own pleasure (since I actually like animals), but for their own benefit.

So ironically, I'd say: Chasing birds is probably good (overall) for the birds, but bad (overall) for the children, unless it's done with the right attitude.

I doubt a 3 year old would chase an animal for killing purpose. At most, it's an attempt to play with the animal. Or am I reading through the lines incorrectly?

>I can't find any official advice on whether chasing birds is considered healthy or harmful to either the child or the birds.

I mean, wild animals generally don't like being disturbed. At best it stresses them. While the domain immediately screams bias, they cite sources: https://www.animal-ethics.org/wild-animal-suffering-section/...

The relevant bit there would be the 'frightening sounds'. A shouting/screaming child running at a bird isn't something that is normal for the bird.

Further reading:

- https://www.citylab.com/environment/2016/06/birds-city-healt...

- https://qz.com/726926/like-people-birds-that-live-in-the-cit...

- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/jun/29/wildlife...

- https://www.mpg.de/533349/pressRelease20060901

- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160620112028.h...

When you go to the grocery store, allow a few extra minutes, take them out of the cart and have them help you.

I need three apples. Thanks, that's one. How many more do we need? Now we have three. One Two Three.

It gets you talking with your child more. It gives them confidence that they are contributing to a real task. Kids love to be useful. It's up to you to pick and choose those tasks in the supermarket, and everywhere else where they will be successful. Be patient, step back, and let them do as much as they can.

My area has something called POP club (power of produce?) at the farmers markets. Kids try some sort of produce, decide if they like it or not, and then get $5 of fake money to spend on produce or seedlings. It's really been interesting watching how my kids decide what to get, and how much, and negotiate the transactions. In the spring we often get starter plants for the garden. Even if you don't have such a club you might consider a "produce allowance" when you go to the market.

Not much to do with STEM, so I'll add that my youngest really likes changing the batteries in his toys, especially if a screwdriver is required.

I think human children have likely been chasing birds, much the way puppies would, since long before the dawn of civilization. As long as you teach your children to respect nature when they're older, letting a 3 y.o. chase ducks is as natural as teaching a 3 y.o. to walk. And as much of a threat to duck society as puppies are, as well.

I recall being chased by birds when i was a kid, i didn’t like it.

One thing I rarely see mentioned but I have found true for both of my boys: give them a bucket full of around 50 of anything and they will find 100 uses for it: currency, counting tool, treasures to hide and find, etc. Latest version of this in our house is a small box of around 30 pencil erasers (the kind that attach to the back of a pencil) which are perfectly small, cheap and safe.

Best yet! Fuck all this consume, buy, waste...

Nice list, thanks