Demonstrate the concept of gravity by involving the children. Have them jump upward to see how long they stay airborne. Explain that it is gravity that pulls them back to the floor or ground.
Arrange the group in a circle. Toss a ball to a child, and have her toss it on to the next person. Toss more balls, some beanbags and some soft toys to the children. Have them continue to toss the items around the circle. Discuss how much effort it takes to keep the items moving without dropping them.
Have a relay race where two teams of children take turns carrying a bucket filled with water to a marked spot and back to the next child in line. Talk about how the water splashed out and is spilled onto the ground as they move quickly across the play area.
Have the children share their experiences or questions about the activities they have just completed in class.
Have the children practice balancing pencils on their index fingers. Take time to watch and explain that they should make sure they put the middle of the pencil on their finger to find the center of gravity and balance the pencil.
Provide paper, pencils and stencils or objects to trace. Have the children trace or draw a half-circle, a rectangle, a triangle, an animal and a gingerbread-type person. Discuss the center of gravity and have the children draw a line where they think the center of gravity is in each drawing. Let the children give their opinions on each possibility.
Play a game of "limbo" with the children. Have two children each hold one end of a broom handle. Encourage the others take turns trying to go under the limbo stick while bending backward. Let the children take turns holding the stick lower and lower. Discuss at which point they fall backward and why they fell.
Give each child a spoon. Have them choose from an assortment of items to carry in their spoon. Offer toy cars, plastic plates or glasses, balls, toy blocks and other items as desired. Allow the children time to practice finding the center of gravity with each item placed on their spoon, and have them move around the room to keep the object from falling.