Map How It Works

Your child picks an everyday system, such as where rubbish goes or how water reaches the tap, and draws a diagram of how it flows from start to finish, then explains it. A satisfying way to make an invisible process visible.

How to do it

1. Together, choose an everyday system your child is curious about (rubbish collection, tap water, post, electricity, or how a shop restocks).
2. Ask them what they already think happens, from the first step to the last, and let them jot the guesses down.
3. Have them find out the missing parts by asking you, looking it up, or observing, and fill the gaps.
4. Let them draw the system as a diagram with boxes and arrows showing what goes where and in what order.
5. Ask them to walk you through the flow, pointing to each step, and to mark any part they are still unsure about.

What you need

• System topic
• Large paper
• Pens or markers
• Device

Make it yours

Younger, 9-10 years: A simple three to four step flow with your help finding the facts. Older, 12 years and up: Add what could go wrong at each step or where the system could be more efficient. Siblings: Each maps a different system, then explains theirs to the other.