Using Storytime To Teach About the Built World

My 5-year-old son, Isaac, wants to know how EVERYTHING works. We are only too happy to try to answer his questions.

This generally involves regular trips to the library to find books with illustrations to help him better understand. We picked up “The House That Max Built” and read it at bedtime. The illustrations were great and gave us a lot to discuss. It was fun noticing the mischief that Max's dog causes. I was also very pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the construction workers in the book.

We also discussed the numerous OSHA violations and general unsafe practices we saw in the book, because I simply can't help noticing such things. Things like Max standing on the very top of his ladder, improper PPE while working on the roof in the rain, a messy workspace around the plumber. And of course, we also discussed why it is best to run your electrical wires in metal conduit rather than installing Romex in the walls — because I am a licensed Chicago electrician after all!

I'm so grateful for my almost 25 years of experience in the construction industry for many reasons. However, I find myself particularly grateful for my experience in my conversations with my son since I can answer most of his questions and we can discuss best practices in great detail. There is no way of knowing what career path Isaac might ultimately take, but I do feel he will be better for knowing how the built world around him works.

About the Author: Irene Walsh Garcia is a tradeswoman advocate, construction professional, and licensed electrician. Her goal is to leave the construction industry better than she found it.