Children learn best by doing through child-directed play and exploration. It’s easy to delve into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) lessons at home with toys children already have, such as cars. Toy cars can be purchased for very little at thrift or Dollar stores. Remember to inspect what you buy. Access where children are in their development and invite them to take learning to the next level. When natural discovery stalls, ask open-ended questions and introduce tools and interesting materials to extend learning. 1. Examine and describe the cars to someone.
2. Explain what cars are for and how they think cars operate.
3. Describe how their cars are the same as, or different from, other cars.
4. Sort and classify their cars, or other modes of transportation, by their characteristics.
5. Find things that are bigger, smaller, taller, wider, longer, or shorter than their cars, by comparison. Measure the cars.
6. Discover how wheels work. Simple machines: wheel & axle.
7. Find other things that have wheels. How are they different from the ones on their cars?
8. Build a wheel and axle to move an object. How about building a wheel out of straw and cardboard?
9. Explore how cars roll on various surfaces and textures: water, dirt, sand, metal, grass, concrete, rocks, wood, etc.
10. Push cars and measure how far they go. Push harder. Push softer. Change surfaces. Start from various positions.
11. Make cars move without touching them with their hands.
12. Count down and race cars against other objects that roll or move.
13. Design and build cars out of random objects. They don’t have to roll.
14. Design roads out of things like sticks, rocks, leaves, manipulatives & toys, or chalk. Pretend their cars stop at real-life places.
15. Explore how cars roll down a ramp - ramps constructed differently, ramps at different heights, angles, and/or with various surfaces. What happens when cars get to the bottom?
16. Find ways to pull cars up a ramp.
17. Make a parking lot out of a box or box top and practice parking cars in the spaces. Add numbers or colors to both the spaces and the cars, then park the cars in their matching spots.
18. Construct a garage, road, bridge, or tunnel out of boxes, rocks, sticks, Popsicle sticks, blocks, paper, etc.
19. Search for other objects that are the same color as their car or that roll. How do they work?
20. Draw their observations on paper, even if they scribble.
Additional ideas...
21. Draw a map of their neighborhood, and give directions for children to drive to places with which they are familiar.
Author of: The BIG Book of Open-Ended Questions to Intentionally Support Young Children in Learning: Topics for Preschool thru 1st Grade
Angela Russ-Ayon is a mom-preneur, children’s author, interactive trainer on the subject of early childhood, and award-winning artist/producer of music for young children. She presents educational strategies to child care providers, parents, and teachers nationwide for AEYCs, R & Rs, and the like. She is a member of the Recording Academy and is the sole owner of Russ InVision Records. For more information on Angela, her workshops, and her accomplishments you are welcome to visit www.abridgeclub.com. © 2021, Russ InVision. All rights reserved.
Find out more about Angela Russ-Ayon and her affordable interactive keynote and workshop presentations coast-to-coast on the subjects of early childhood development, STEM (science and math), open-ended questions, and family engagement. Visit her training page.
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