Pushes and Pulls: How Things Move
A first physics lesson for ages 4-6 about pushes and pulls: learn how forces make things move, stop, speed up, slow down, with a fun mini quiz.
Key takeaways
- A push moves something away from you.
- A pull moves something toward you.
- Pushes and pulls can make things start, stop, or change direction.
What is a push?
A push moves something away from you.
When you push a swing, it goes forward. When you push a toy car, it rolls away. Your hands give the car a force.
A force is just a push or a pull.
What is a pull?
A pull moves something toward you.
When you pull a wagon, it comes with you. When you pull a door, it opens your way. A dog on a leash pulls you to the park!
Pushes and pulls all around
Look! You use pushes and pulls every day.
- You push a shopping cart.
- You pull a zipper up.
- You push the buttons on a toy.
- You pull your socks on.
Make it go, make it stop
A push or a pull can make a still thing move. It can also make a moving thing stop.
Roll a ball to a friend. Your friend can push it back. Or your friend can stop it with two hands. That is a force too!
A bigger push makes a ball go faster. A small push makes it go slow.
Try it yourself! 🎈
Get a soft ball and sit with a grown-up.
- Push the ball gently. Watch it roll away.
- Roll it back and stop it with your hands.
- Now push it hard. Did it go faster?
You just used forces! Pushes and pulls help everything move.
Quick quiz
Test yourself and earn XP
What do you do to a door to open it toward you?
You pull the door toward you to open it your way.
When you push a toy car, which way does it go?
A push sends the car away from you.
What can a push or a pull do to a moving ball?
A push or pull can stop a ball, speed it up, or change its way.
FAQ
A force is a push or a pull. Forces make things move, stop, or change direction.
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