Awareness of Systems

Ages 6 to 7 Systems / Awareness

Seeing how the parts of a school, a town, a world connect.

Let’s Experience It

Gen Lhamo’s class made rules together. “Why do we walk in the hallway?” she asked. “So no one gets hurt,” said Karma. “Why do we raise our hands?” “So everyone gets a turn,” said Kunsang. “Why do we clean up?” “So we can find things,” said Dechen. Gen Lhamo smiled. “Rules help our classroom work better for everyone!”

What’s Happening?

We have rules for good reasons. Rules keep us safe. Running in the hallway could hurt someone. Rules keep things fair. Raising hands means everyone gets to talk. Rules help us get along. Cleaning up means we can all find what we need. Some rules might seem annoying at first. But when we think about why we have them, they make sense!

Rules help everyone, not just one person. When we take turns, everyone gets to play. When we listen quietly, everyone can hear the story. When we share supplies, everyone can do art. Rules are not made to be mean. They are made so our class is happy and safe. At home, rules help families too. Bedtime rules help everyone get enough sleep. Chore rules help keep the house clean for everyone.

Nature has patterns too, like rules that never change. Day and night happen every single day. The sun rises in the morning. It sets at night. This pattern never stops. Seasons are another pattern. Spring brings flowers. Summer is hot. Fall has colorful leaves. Winter is cold. These patterns help plants and animals know what to do. Birds fly south in fall. Flowers bloom in spring. Patterns help the world work together.

Why It Matters

When you understand rules, you follow them better. You know they are there to help, not to be mean. You can help make rules too! You can think about what helps everyone.

Patterns help you know what to expect. You know the sun will rise tomorrow. You know winter will come after fall. This helps you feel safe. The world is not random. It follows patterns you can learn and understand.

Try It Yourself

Go on a rule hunt! Find three rules at school or home. For each rule, answer: Why do we have this rule? How does it help everyone? Write or draw your answers. Next, go on a pattern hunt! Look outside for patterns in nature. Watch when the sun rises and sets. Notice what season it is now. Look for signs of the season. Are leaves falling? Is it hot or cold? Draw a picture of today’s weather. Draw what the weather will be like in three months. See how patterns change but keep repeating!

Remember

Check yourself

12 questions on this topic. Nothing is saved and nothing is sent anywhere.

  1. Why does your class have rules like 'raise your hand before talking'?

  2. What happens in your family when everyone does their jobs (like cleaning up toys, setting the table)?

  3. It's daytime when you wake up and nighttime when you sleep. What causes this?

  4. If one person in your class is being loud during quiet reading time, what happens?

  5. Why does your family have routines like brushing teeth before bed?

  6. What happens to plants in winter and spring?

  7. In your classroom, why does everyone have different jobs like line leader or paper passer?

  8. If you forget to water a plant for many days, what will happen?

  9. In Tibet, nomads move their yak herds to different pastures each season. Why?

  10. Why do we have a school bell that rings at certain times?

  11. If one person doesn't clean up their art supplies, what happens?

  12. Why do we take turns on the swing?

Awareness of Systems at other ages

The same topic, written for older and younger children. Worth a look when you are judging how far to take it.