# 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

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: pictures of smart toys, robots, or voice assistants

## 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
Lines
Trace
Pen

## 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?

A rock you find outside. A toy that can light up, talk, or move using computer rules. Any toy, even if it does nothing.
Smart toys use computer parts to do extra actions.

2) Which picture is most like a robot?

A soft pillow. A plain paper book. A machine with wheels and lights that moves by itself.
Robots are machines that can move because of computer rules and motors.

3) What can a voice assistant do?

Play music or tell you the time when you ask. Give real hugs like a person. Feel sad or happy like you.
Voice assistants can answer and play things, but they do not have feelings.

4) Which sentence is true?

Smart helpers are real people with hearts and feelings. Smart helpers are tools that follow computer rules. Smart helpers know everything and are never wrong.
Smart helpers are machines that follow programs.

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

Your favorite animal. A question about space. Your full name, address, or school name.
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?

A trusted adult, like a parent or teacher. A stranger online. No one. Use it secretly.
Trusted adults help you use smart tools safely.

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

Keep it a secret. Turn it off and tell a trusted adult. Listen again and again.
Adults can help decide what to do next.

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

Because they might get lonely. Because you must never use them. Because people need breaks to play, move, and rest their minds.
Breaks help our bodies and brains stay healthy.

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

People, with help from trusted adults. The smart toys and robots. No one at all.
People choose when and how to use smart helpers.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make smart helpers more important than people. To help you recognize smart helpers and use them safely with adults. To tell smart helpers all your secrets.
We want children to enjoy smart tools while staying safe and in control.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can give at least one example of a smart toy, robot, or assistant. Student can explain in simple words that these tools follow rules and do not have real feelings. Student can name at least one safe rule for using smart helpers (for example, asking an adult first or not sharing private details). Student can say that people can turn smart helpers off and choose when to use them. Student can tell a trusted adult if a smart helper says or does something that feels strange.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can spot smart helpers and use them safely. 🙂 I understand some ideas about smart helpers but still need practice. 😅 Smart helpers still feel a bit tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Asking an adult before using smart helpers Not sharing private information with devices Turning smart helpers off when it is time for a break
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