Instructions
When children are playing with cars or with building blocks, they are likely to create something that acts as a bridge. Encourage that interest by asking children to design and build bridges using different materials. Children can predict how many [cars, toys, objects] their bridge can hold.
Optional: visit a nearby bridge, taking appropriate precautions.
Questions You May Ask
⚙ What can you use to build a bridge?
⚙ How many [cars, toys, objects] can your bridge hold before it collapses?
⚙ How many [cars, toys, objects] can fit on your bridge deck?
⚙ What are bridges used for?
⚙ Where have you seen a bridge before?
⚙ How can you place the deck on the piers to make a stable bridge?
⚙ Where does your bridge go?
Related Children's Books
⚙ A Book about Bridges: Here to There and Me to You by Cheryl Keely
⚙ Building Strong Bridges by Marne Ventura
Age
⚙ 3 years and up
Time and Place
⚙ Any time of day
⚙ Any time of year
⚙ Indoors or outdoors
Materials
⚙ Board or other elongated objects for the bridge deck
⚙ Objects for piers to support the bridge deck (e.g., wooden blocks, tires, boxes)
⚙ Toys or other objects to place on the bridge
Safety
⚙Supervise children at all times
⚙Be aware that bridges might collapse
⚙Be aware of choking hazards (i.e., small LEGO pieces)
_edited.jpg)
Play-based Context
A group of preschoolers was playing with tires and balancing boards and they created a bridge by placing a balancing board on top of the tires. The children walked back and forth on their bridge.
_edited.jpg)