A push and a pull are two simple ways to move things. When you push a toy wagon, your hands move it away from you. When you pull a wagon with a rope, you bring it closer to you or make it follow you.
Learning about pushes and pulls helps children notice forces during play, at home, and outside.
A force is a push or a pull that can start motion, stop motion, or change how something moves. Bigger pushes and pulls can make an object move faster, especially if the object is not too heavy. The direction of the force matters because a wagon moves in the direction it is pushed or pulled.
Everyday examples include pushing a swing, pulling open a drawer, kicking a ball, and tugging a rope.
Key Facts
- A push moves an object away from the person or thing applying the force.
- A pull brings an object closer to the person or thing applying the force.
- Force = a push or a pull.
- Motion means an object changes position.
- A stronger push or pull can make an object speed up more.
- The object usually moves in the same direction as the push or pull.
Vocabulary
- Push
- A push is a force that moves something away from you.
- Pull
- A pull is a force that brings something closer to you.
- Force
- A force is a push or pull that can change how an object moves.
- Motion
- Motion is when something changes where it is.
- Direction
- Direction is the way something moves, such as forward, backward, left, or right.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Calling every movement a push. A pull is different because the object moves toward the person or thing pulling it.
- Forgetting to look at direction. The direction of the push or pull tells which way the object will move.
- Thinking only hands can push or pull. Feet, ropes, magnets, wind, and machines can also make pushes or pulls.
- Thinking a small push always moves a heavy object. Heavy objects may need a stronger force to start moving.
Practice Questions
- 1 A child pushes a toy car 3 blocks forward, then pushes it 2 more blocks forward. How many blocks did the toy car move in all?
- 2 A child pulls a wagon 5 steps closer, then pulls it 4 more steps closer. How many steps closer is the wagon now?
- 3 A child stands behind a wagon and moves it away from their body. Is the child pushing or pulling, and how do you know?