Forces are all around us – this month we’re going to explore the forces that relate to motion on wheels: pushing and pulling, and the effects of gravity and friction. By Julie Mountain and Felicity Robinson

quick wins – friction

Talk about and experiment with friction – I know it’s not on the curriculum until late primary school, but the concept can be understood by younger children. Here are some simple experiments to try that will explore the differences between rough and smooth surfaces:

continuous provision– loose parts for motion play

There are many definitions of continuous provision, but I think we can all agree that having the time and space to explore resources, and having an abundance of those resources, are key. A ready supply of resources for motion play are almost certainly already out in your setting – as with many elements of learning through play outdoors, the challenge here is thinking differently about the equipment children access on a daily basis and encouraging them to make choices about their play that will add depth to STEM understanding.

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