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Science

Push and Pull

Overview

Children explore how objects move by pushing and pulling them, discovering that all movement involves a force.

Learning Objective
Children identify pushes and pulls as forces that make things move, stop, or change direction.

Resources needed

  • Everyday objects: ball, door, chair, stone

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Push a ball — it moves. Ask: what did you do to make it move?
  2. 2 Pull a chair — it moves. Ask: is this the same as a push, or different?
  3. 3 Introduce: push and pull are both forces — invisible actions that make things move.
  4. 4 Children find examples of pushes in the room: opening a door, pressing a button.
  5. 5 Children find examples of pulls: opening a drawer, picking up a stone.
  6. 6 Ask: can something be both pushed and pulled at the same time? (stretching a piece of cloth).
  7. 7 Ask: what happens if you push something very softly versus very hard?

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Tug of war — feel the pull force directly.
  • Roll a ball back and forth and identify push each time.
  • Push objects over different surfaces — smooth versus rough.
More information

Teach: push, pull, force, move, direction, stop, speed up, slow down. Physical demonstration of each force is essential — words alone are insufficient for this concept.

Avoid the word 'force' initially and just use push and pull. Introduce 'force' once the concept is established.

Can children correctly identify whether an action is a push or a pull? Can they give two examples of each from daily life?

No resources needed beyond everyday objects. Push and pull are everywhere — doors, chairs, and balls are sufficient.

Children sometimes think only fast or dramatic movements involve force. Show that a very gentle push on a stationary object still involves force — even if the object barely moves.

Push and pull forces are the entry point for all of Newtonian mechanics. Establishing this vocabulary and concept at early years builds the foundation for forces in later science.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 15 minutes no prep Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Forces Push And Pull Movement