Chain Reaction

[20 Minutes]

Your child will begin to understand "force" when together you set up your own demonstration of a chain reaction. The longer the "chain," the more impressive the display of cause and effect.

You'll need:

• large, smooth floor area • rectangular blocks or dominoes • half-gallon milk cartons and ball (optional)

What to do:

1. Invite your child to begin to line up blocks on end, domino-style, with one in front of another, so the block structure looks like a snake.
2. Encourage him to add on to the "snake." While making the snakes, remind your child that it is important to work very carefully so he doesn't knock down his hard work.
3. When your child is satisfied with the length of the snake, encourage him to gently tap the first block to "start the show." Then it's time to start it all over again!
4. You can also set up a bowling alley using clean, empty, half-gallon milk cartons and a ball. Have your child keep track of how many "pins" he knocks down.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• How many blocks did you use in your "snake"? Did they all fall down at once?
• What could you use instead of blocks to make a "falling snake"?

Useful information:

While you having fun together, your child is learning about cause and effect.