Re:Ask HN: STEM toy for a 3 years old?
by paiute on Tuesday March 03, 2020 @10:20AM
(#22475090)
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.
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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!