Computing · Stage 3

How Messages Travel

Thinking It Through · networks — how a message you send reaches another device, even far away

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

explain how a message travels between devices

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Kavi's Hello Flies Away

Kavi typed "Hello, Grandma!" and pressed send. Whoosh — the little message left Kavi's tablet, zipped through the network as tiny signals, crossed the whole wide sea, and landed on Grandma Owl's phone a second later. "It flew without wings!" Kavi hooted. A message doesn't walk or get carried by hand — it travels as signals through the network between devices, very fast, even far away. Kavi still had the message too — Grandma got a copy. Grandma's phone needs to be on and connected for the hello to show up. If it is off, the message waits and arrives later.

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What your child will learn

1From your device to theirsWhen you send a message, it travels from your device, through the network, to the other person's device. Tap each part to see its job in the journey.

2A paper letter, or a digital message?A paper letter is carried by hand and takes days. A digital message travels as signals through the network and arrives in a second. Tap each card to compare how they travel.

3Their device is turned off — what happens?Kavi sends a message, but Grandma's phone is turned off right now. Predict what happens to the message, then reveal.

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A peek inside

Kavi types a message and presses send. How does it get to a friend's device?

it leaves Kavi's device, goes through the network as signals, and arrives on the friend's device

Try this at home: A message travels from your device, through the network, to the ____ device.

Ready to play and learn?

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

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

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