Humans and many animals have a skeleton made of bones. The skeleton holds the body up, protects important organs like the brain and heart, and works with muscles so we can move.
What your child will learn
- Know the three jobs of the skeleton: support, protection and movement
- Name some bones, such as the skull, ribs and spine
- Explain that muscles pull on bones to make them move
- Compare animals with internal skeletons, exoskeletons and no skeleton
Muscles work in pairs
Muscles can only pull, not push. To bend your arm, the muscle at the front (biceps) gets shorter and pulls. To straighten it, the muscle at the back (triceps) pulls instead. Joints like knees and elbows are where bones meet so they can bend.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Which bone protects your brain?
💀- The knee
- The ribs
- The skull
- The spine
Show answer
Answer: The skull. Your skull is like a helmet for your brain.
2. True or false? Your skeleton helps you stand up.
Show answer
Answer: True. Without a skeleton, you would flop like jelly!
3. Which animal has no bones?
- A bird
- A fish
- A worm
- A dog
Show answer
Answer: A worm. Worms have no skeleton at all.
Tips for grown-ups
- Feel the muscle in your upper arm as you bend and straighten it.
- Find your joints: how many can you bend?
- Drink milk and eat cheese or yoghurt for strong bones.