Launchpad - Introducing the topic (10–20 mins)
Step 1Show the child a toy car and ask, ‘Have you ever wondered how a toy car moves?’ Explain that today, you will explore how pushing and pulling involve different amounts of force to make things move. Explain that we will be looking for items around the house that can be pushed and pulled.
Step 2Assist the child to gather and/or identify a range of household items and objects that can be pushed or pulled. If they are struggling to identify items that can be pushed or pulled, invite them to do a quick test to see if they can move with force.
Discover - Exploring the topic (20–30 mins)
Step 1Find a smooth surface where the child can test how far they can push the toy car with different amounts of force. Have the child push the toy car gently and then with more force, observing how far the car travels each time. Discuss the results and ask questions like, ‘What did you notice about how far the car went when you pushed it harder?’
Step 2Explain to the child that force is the energy used to push or pull something. When more force is applied, the object moves further (motion). Ask the child if they can find any more items around the house that can be pushed. This might include things like a bike, pram or chair.
Step 3Ask the child to think of things around the house that need to be pulled, such as doors, drawers, or chairs. Explain pulling is a force used to move objects, like pushing. Use a lawn mower as an example of an object that requires pushing and pulling to work. Adding that sometimes machines use energy to help us push or pull things.
Step 4Ask the child some reflective questions to conclude the activity, such as:
- How is using a push mower similar to pushing a toy car?
- Why do you think machines sometimes use energy to help us move things?
- Can you think of other machines or tools that use force to push or pull things?
Showcase
Make
Create a game related to the activity, such as a trivia game or charades, to reinforce learning in a fun way.
Record a video documenting the activity, including interviews with those involved sharing their insights and reflections. This may include filming each step of the flower-pressing process or the child explaining the parts of the flower that they have labelled on their flower-press diagram.
Compile photos, drawings and notes from the activity into a scrapbook, highlighting what has been learned and enjoyed.
Use materials from the activity to build a model or prototype of something related to the topic, fostering hands-on learning and creativity.
Discuss
Choose an object or aspect of the activity to present to the rest of the family, explaining its significance and what they learned.
Choose a thought-provoking question or topic related to the activity and hold a family debate or discussion to explore different perspectives.
Sit down together to discuss the activity, allowing each family member to share their thoughts, discoveries and questions.
Have each family member prepare a short presentation about what they have learned, using visuals like drawings or props to illustrate key points.
Write
If the activity involved a visit to a museum or community centre, write thank-you notes to any instructors or organisers, reflecting on what has been learned.
Collaborate on writing a fictional story or play inspired by the themes or concepts explored during the activity.
Reflect on what has been learned during the activity and write letters to be opened at a later date, sharing thoughts, goals and aspirations.
If the activity involved outdoor exploration, begin a nature journal to document future outdoor adventures and observations.
Plan
Brainstorm ideas for other ways to experiment with push and pull around the house. For example, measure how far you can push an object on different surfaces. How does the surface affect the object’s motion?
Another fun activity could be playing tug-of-war, where the child uses force to pull a rope against another player. Ask the child if they can think of any other ways to demonstrate push and pull in everyday activities or games. This could include activities like pushing a ball across different types of flooring or pulling a wagon loaded with toys.
Take time to reflect on how the activity could inspire new goals, discussing ways to incorporate similar experiences into your routine in the future.
If the activity involved a specific topic or field of study, reach out to experts or professionals for interviews or Q&A sessions to deepen understanding.
If you enjoyed the activity, why not share it with other families within your community? Plan a workshop or invite a friend over to re-create the experience and share your new knowledge.