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Pushes and pulls change movement — Science, 4–6 years

A push or a pull can start, stop, speed up, slow down or turn something. The size and direction of the force help decide what happens.

Idea

A force is a push or a pull. It can change how an object moves, even if the object is a ball, a door or a toy car. A force can also change direction, such as when a hand turns a rolling car.

Why it matters

Before this idea, “the ball moved” does not tell us why it moved. Looking for the cause shows that someone kicked it, gravity pulled it down or another object pushed it. This helps us predict and control movement safely.

Try it

Place a toy car on the floor. Give it a small push: it rolls a short way and stops. Give it a stronger push: it rolls farther and faster. Now push from the side; it turns instead of travelling straight.

A common mix-up

It is reasonable to think that a moving object must keep moving forever, because we see it move before it stops. In everyday life, friction with the floor and air slows it down. A push starts motion, but other forces can change it.

Outside school

You use pushes and pulls when opening a door, kicking a ball or riding a swing. Engineers use the same idea to design brakes, bicycles and playground equipment. They ask which force will start, stop or turn each part.

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