For many parents, the idea of teaching a preschooler or kindergartner about forces seems ridiculous. But believe it or not, many kids are being introduced to forces as early as kindergarten. Sure, they’re not going into complicated force equations, and teaching them the difference between gravitational and friction forces, but the concept of big and small forces is introduced fairly early in grade school. Once I was aware my son had already learned what a force was, I looked for ways to affirm the concept to him in a fun way. A trip to the splash park gave me the perfect opportunity!For many parents, the idea of teaching a preschooler or kindergartner about forces seems ridiculous. But believe it or not, many kids are being introduced to forces as early as kindergarten. Sure, they’re not going into complicated force equations, and teaching them the difference between gravitational and friction forces, but the concept of big and small forces is introduced fairly early in grade school. Once I was aware my son had already learned what a force was, I looked for ways to affirm the concept to him in a fun way. A trip to the splash park gave me the perfect opportunity!
Today my oldest son had the day off from school, which meant I needed to find a way for us to be out of the house for most of the day. The day was nice, mostly sunny, so I decided we’d head to the park to have lunch, and let the boys play in the splash pad.
When we got to the park, both boys ran straight for the splash pad, screaming at the top of their lungs the entire way there. You can definitely tell when we arrive anywhere.
I set myself and the baby up at a nearby picnic table, and settled down to watch the boys play. My oldest son was throwing around his flip flops. Then he took one of his sandals, pushed it down on one of the water jets and let it go. This gave me an idea, and I saw it as an opportunity to talk about forces!
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Sandal Experiment
Me: “What is a force?”
Him: “Its a push or a pull.”
Me: “What is the water doing to the sandal?”
Him: “Pushing!”
Me: “So its putting a force on the sandal, right?”
He nods yes.
Me: “Which force is bigger? The weight of the sandal, or the force of the water?”
Him: “I don’t know…”
Me: “Push the sandal back down on the jet, then let it go!”
He pushes the sandal down, lets it go, and screams with excitement as the sandal shoots up in the air!
Me: “So let me ask you again, which force is bigger? The weight of the sandal, or the force of the water?”
Him: “The force of the water, because it SHOT the sandal in the air!”
Me: “Right!!!” (I’m getting really excited now)
Rock Experiment
Next I asked him to bring over a nearby rock.
Me: “Which force is bigger? The weight of the rock, or the force of the water?”
Him: “I don’t know…”
Me: “Do what you did with the sandal. Put the rock on top of the jets, and lets see what happens.”
He places the rock over the jets, then lets go!
Nothing happens. He’s kind of disappointed.
Me: “What happened?”
Him: “Nothing. The rock just stayed on top of the water.”
Me: “So what does that mean about the weight of the rock? Is it bigger or smaller than the force of the water jets?”
You can see the light turn on in his head, “Bigger!”
Me: “Right! Since the rock wasn’t moved by the water, its weight is greater than the force of the water!”
And then he ran off to play with his brother.
Teaching engineering does not have to be complicated. You just need to find opportunities in everyday life to talk about the basic principles. Everything is easier to learn when you can see it used in real life, instead in just a theoretical lesson in a book.
If you’re not sure how to introduce the concepts of forces to your child, see my post “10 Books that Inspire Kids to be Engineers“. In the post I suggest a book that introduces and explains the basic principles behind forces.
And that is just another way that Engineering is child’s play!
Looking for other ways to introduce you kids to engineering? Check out some of my other posts!
Tinker Crate: Circuits and Optics
Teach Your Kid to be a Reliability Engineer!
Teach Your Kid to be a Mechanical Engineer!
Teach Your Kid to be a Project Engineer!
Be a Process Engineer: Play “How’s it Made?”
Exploring Energy: How are Height and Distance Related?
An Explosive View of a Dinosaur
10 Books that Inspire Kids to be Engineers
Toys that Teach Engineering
Explaining things in simple terms to children can be challenge. I like the way you went about this, and all while they’re having fun.
Thank you! There’s opportunities to teach & learn everywhere!
This is great! I am a homeschool mom and love doing experiments like this with my kids. I love that you are using your educational/career background and sharing that knowledge with your kids.
Thank you! I’m trying to instill a life long desire to learn in my kids. It’s not always about the grade, but understanding.
How awesome! I love that you are able to incorporate these types of lessons into everyday activities!
Thank you!
This is an awesome way to teach kids about engineering and to get them to think about WHY things happen. I love it. My little one asked me the other day how his coloring app worked on his ipad. If there were wires inside the ipad. 🙂 I was so proud…he’s 4. 🙂
I can totally relate! There’s just a certain kind of pride you get when your little ones have an interest in your interests.
What a great lesson and great job thinking of how to make it fun at the park!
Thank you! Things are always fun when water is involved.
I love hands-on teaching. Learning happens so much easier while having fun!
Thank you for pinning my LEGO gummy treats!
Happy Weekend 🙂
I agree! It’s like sneaking in the learning!
I plan on using the Lego gummies at my son’s next birthday party!
Simple examples like that can help children learn faster. If only they used those at school! Engineering is easier to learn when it applies to your everyday life. Thank you for this post!
Zaria
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