Cardboard car / Activity Analysis

Math

• The child learned about measurement and spatial awareness by determining the dimensions of the car and assembling it correctly.
• They practiced addition and subtraction skills by calculating the number of cardboard pieces needed and making adjustments as necessary.
• The child explored geometry concepts by recognizing and manipulating different shapes while constructing the car.
• They applied basic math operations to determine the cost of additional decorations or accessories for the car.

Science

• The child gained knowledge about forces and motion by understanding how pushing or pulling the car affected its movement.
• They learned about materials and their properties by selecting appropriate types of cardboard and testing their durability and flexibility.
• The child explored the concept of engineering design by brainstorming and implementing solutions to make the car more stable and aerodynamic.
• They developed problem-solving skills by troubleshooting any issues they encountered during the construction process.

Continued Development Tip: Encourage the child to take their cardboard car activity further by conducting experiments to test how different factors, such as weight distribution or wheel size, impact the car's speed or distance traveled. They can also explore the concept of energy transfer by investigating how adding rubber bands or springs can enhance the car's propulsion.

Book Recommendations

• The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell: This graphic novel follows a group of neighborhood children as they create imaginative cardboard costumes and embark on exciting adventures.
• When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins: In this story, Charlie builds a cardboard robot to help him in a video game, but when his power goes out, he learns the importance of imaginative play and real-life connections.
• Cardboard by Doug TenNapel: This fantasy graphic novel tells the tale of a magical cardboard box that brings anything constructed with it to life, including a cardboard robot and a cardboard monster.