Project outline
Babies
Activities based on one of the world's great birth stories Mini topic
Stepping stones
Ice is nice for experiments
Explore what children already know about bridges and refer to books to refresh their memory.
Planned learning intention
Knowledge and understanding of the world
Resources
Wooden unit blocks plastic bricks cardboard boxes kitchen rolls sticky tape masking tape string Blu-tack 'small world' people and vehicles
Step by step
* Discuss what bridges look like and how they are used. Point out different designs and materials used. For example, compare large road bridges with rickety wooden footbridges.
* Provide children with resources to make bridges and let them choose how to construct them and what to use.
* Offer the children props in the form of miniature vehicles and people.
* Observe what problems they encounter as they build bridges and pose relevant questions to solve them.
* Remind them they need to construct ramps to place at either end of the bridges. They may need to join or secure parts with Blu-tack or tape.
* Stability problems may cause the most frustration.
* Emphasise the process and enjoying it, and help children work together to solve technical problems.