Machines

It won't come as much surprise to anyone who reads this blog from time to time that my six-year-old likes to take things apart — or rather, he likes to watch me take things apart when something needs repair. (He'll also ask me to take things apart that don't need repair, so he can look inside.) He peers over my shoulder and asks questions about all the parts that had previously been hidden from view. What do they do? How do they work?

Have you ever seen The Secret Life of Machines? It's a charming and amusing series that explores the inner workings and history behind common household appliances and office equipment. (You can watch the entire series here.) I'm thinking of putting a few episodes on my son's iPod — he's still a bit too young for an entire show to hold his interest (it moves along at a relaxed, leisurely pace) but I know he'll be captivated by the sight of machines taken apart to demonstrate how they work (to say nothing of the offbeat gadgets built by Tim Hunkin and Rex Garrod, the two series presenters).

Some people want to keep scissors out of their children's reach — I need to keep the screwdrivers hidden.