Computing · Stage 3

Hardware vs Software

Thinking It Through · systems — hardware is the parts you can touch; software is what runs on it

✦ Computing📘 Stage 3 · S3⏱ ~8 min🧒 Ages 7–8★ Free to start

tell hardware from software — hardware is the physical parts you can touch, software is the programs that run on it

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Kavi Points at the Parts

Kavi tapped the glowing screen and knocked on the hard plastic. "This part I can touch — the screen, the buttons, the speaker," Kavi hooted. "That is the hardware." Then a drawing app popped open, full of colours. "But I can't knock on the drawing app — it's not a part I can hold. It's a program that runs on the hardware. That's the software!" Kavi grinned. Hardware is the physical parts you can touch. Software is the apps and programs that run on the hardware — you can see them and use them, but you can't pick them up.

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What your child will learn

1Can you touch it, or does it run on it?Hardware is the physical parts of a device — you can touch and hold them. Software is the programs and apps that run on the hardware — you can use them, but you cannot pick them up. Tap each card to compare.

2Hardware you touch, or software that runs?Some things are hardware — real parts you can touch. Others are software — programs that run on the hardware. Tap the right box for each one.

3Kavi knocks on the keyboard — hardware or software?Kavi can tap the keys and feel them click. Predict whether the keyboard is hardware or software, then reveal.

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A peek inside

Kavi points at the screen and taps the glass. Is the screen hardware or software?

the screen is a real part you can touch

Try this at home: The physical parts of a device you can touch are called ____.

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of Computing · Stage 3 · S3 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.