Pushes and pulls are forces. They can make things start moving, stop, speed up, slow down or change direction. Friction slows things down, and gravity pulls everything towards the ground.
What your child will learn
- Sort everyday actions into pushes and pulls
- Know that forces can start, stop and change the direction of movement
- Know that rough surfaces slow things down more than smooth ones
- Know that gravity pulls things down
Forces all around
Kicking a ball is a push. Opening a drawer is a pull. A bigger push makes a ball go faster and further. When a ball rolls on grass it slows down sooner than on a smooth floor, because friction from the rough grass works against it.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. What happens to a ball if you push it harder?
- It goes faster and further
- It stops
- It changes colour
- It gets smaller
Show answer
Answer: It goes faster and further. A bigger push means more speed.
2. Which of these is a pull?
- Squashing a sponge
- Kicking a ball
- Pressing a button
- Pulling up your socks
Show answer
Answer: Pulling up your socks. You pull your socks up.
3. Is taking a tissue out of a box a push or a pull?
- A push
- A pull
Show answer
Answer: A pull. You pull the tissue out towards you.
Tips for grown-ups
- Roll a toy car down a ramp onto carpet, then onto a smooth floor. Which goes further?
- Sort toys into “push” toys and “pull” toys.