Pushing is Ok

How many times do you tell the kids not to push each other? Well, here's an activity that requires a little shove. Take some lightweight plastic tricycles and set them up in a big empty room with a slippery hard floor and maybe a few bumpy carpets. The lack of friction between the plastic wheels and the hard floor makes it almost impossible for a single child to adequately move and steer their own trike. Let another child stand behind them and push their shoulders or seat, and then you've got some motion. This double kid triking requires considerable teamwork in steering, stopping, and generally deciding where to go. The motor kid on the back gets a great workout, and the rider kid in the front gets a thrill ride. The kids in my class have been quite good about switching riders and pushers, alternating frequently without my prompting.