Having Fun and Learning With Gravity

Gravity-force that causes objects to fall! 

 Adults who provide care for young children often teach them about animals and plants when out in nature, but children also enjoy learning about physical science. Gravity is the force that causes objects to fall. It is fun for children to learn because it involves sliding, rolling, and other vigorous activities that are some of their favorite things to do.

  Learning about gravity can be done anywhere there is an incline like a safe driveway, hill, playground slide, or a few steps. While going down a slide point out that gravity helps one go fast. 

Gravity Tosses

  Tossing a slightly deflated beach ball up in the air or rolling it down a hill is a good teaching moment and time for discussion.  Gravity is the force that attracts one object to another. If a ball is thrown up, it will come down toward the larger object, the Earth.  A slightly deflated

Gravity - force that attracts objects together!

 beach ball is easier to catch for small hands. 

  Children can roll a ball or some small cars on a decline to have gravity fun.  Push balls down steps so children can practice catching them with the help of gravity. Place a long board on the steps. Will the balls go down faster on the flat board or the steps?

  While the board is out have some fun racing small cars down the plain. Which car is the gravity champion that gets to the bottom first and then continues to roll the farthest? Does the size of the car seem to matter?

  When washing the car on a hot day aim the hose straight up in the air. Children will love to make rain on everyone with the help of gravity. Take out some umbrellas and enjoy the shower.

   If you throw a feather and piece of paper in the air do they land as fast as a ball? No, because they are 

Take Pictures to Make a Personal Science Book

flat and air gets underneath to slow their fall to the Earth. If your children roll that same piece of paper into a ball will it now fall to the ground faster?  There is less resistance and gravity will win. 

Gravity Rolls

  When cousins or friends get together they can have fun with gravity rolling down grassy hills. Teach children to hug themselves and roll sideways down the hill.  

Someone inevitably gets the idea to summersault down, too.

  

Many Childrens' Books Tell About Gravity

You can take pictures during any of these activities and make a personal science book about gravity with children’s words underneath.   Experiences like these give children practice explaining science and telling a story.

read to young children. For more STEM fun see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com. 

photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Vocabulary Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’

website:  Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube