Lesson 244: Recognize smart toys, robots, and assistants

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • Section A — Technology Around Us

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Objective

I can notice and name smart toys, robots, and assistants and say simple rules for using them safely with adults.

Materials

Mini-lesson — What are smart toys, robots, and assistants?

Some machines are called smart because they have computer parts that follow rules. They can move, listen, or answer.

Smart toys

  • Toys that light up, talk, or move when you press buttons.
  • They might repeat words, play songs, or follow simple commands.

Robots

  • Machines that can move because of motors and computer rules.
  • Some look like animals or people. Others look like small cars or arms.
  • Robots can help with jobs like cleaning, building, or exploring.

Assistants

  • Voice helpers or apps that answer when you talk to them.
  • They can play music, set timers, or tell you the weather.

What they can and cannot do

  • They follow rules and programs.
  • They do not feel love or sadness like people.
  • They do not understand you like a real friend.

Safe use of smart tools

  • Use them with a trusted adult.
  • Do not share your full name, address, school name, or passwords.
  • Tell an adult if a toy, robot, or assistant says or does something that feels strange.

People are the boss

  • People can turn smart tools off.
  • People choose which tools to use and for how long.
  • Smart tools are helpers, not the boss of the family.

Adults can say: "Smart toys and robots can help and be fun, but they are still tools. We will use them safely, and people stay in charge."

Picture strip: "Smart toy, robot, assistant"

Guided Practice — Spot the smart helper

You and an adult will make a simple page to show smart helpers and people helpers in your life.

  1. On a page, draw a line down the middle to make two columns. Label one side "Smart helper" and the other side "Person helper".
  2. Think about your home and school. In the Smart helper column, draw or write three things like a smart toy, robot vacuum, or voice assistant.
  3. In the Person helper column, draw or write three people who help you, such as a parent, teacher, or friend.
  4. Next to each smart helper, add a small word for what it does (for example, "music", "lights", or "clean").
  5. Next to each person helper, add a small word for how they help (for example, "care", "teach", "play").
  6. Talk together about the pictures. Ask: "Which ones are smart tools?" and "Which ones are people?"
  7. Finish by saying a sentence together: "Smart helpers follow rules, and people helpers have real feelings."
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "Smart helpers are tools, and people stay the boss."

Practice — My smart and safe rules

Use this practice to help your child remember safe rules for smart toys, robots, and assistants.

  1. On a new page, write or trace the title "Smart and safe" at the top.
  2. Draw three boxes down the page and label them: "Turn on", "Play", and "Turn off".
  3. In the Turn on box, help your child draw a smart toy, robot, or assistant with a grown-up nearby. Add a small sentence like "Ask an adult first".
  4. In the Play box, draw or write safe ways to use the smart helper (for example, dance to music, ask for a weather report, or move a small robot on the floor).
  5. In the Turn off box, draw the smart helper quiet and the child doing something else, like reading or playing outside. Add a small sentence like "Take a break".
  6. At the bottom, help your child write or trace the rule: "Smart helpers are tools. People are the boss."
  7. Put the page near your smart devices as a reminder for the whole family.

Quick Check — Smart toys, robots, and assistants

Answer each question about smart helpers and safe rules.

1) What is a smart toy?

Smart toys use computer parts to do extra actions.

2) Which picture is most like a robot?

Robots are machines that can move because of computer rules and motors.

3) What can a voice assistant do?

Voice assistants can answer and play things, but they do not have feelings.

4) Which sentence is true?

Smart helpers are machines that follow programs.

5) What should you not tell a smart toy or assistant?

Private details should be kept safe and not shared with devices.

6) Who should you be with when trying a smart toy or assistant for the first time?

Trusted adults help you use smart tools safely.

7) What can you do if a smart toy or assistant says something that feels strange?

Adults can help decide what to do next.

8) Why is it good to turn smart helpers off sometimes?

Breaks help our bodies and brains stay healthy.

9) Who is in charge when you use smart toys or robots?

People choose when and how to use smart helpers.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

We want children to enjoy smart tools while staying safe and in control.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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