Platform facts for kids

A platform can mean different things, but it usually refers to a raised surface or a set of ideas. It can be a physical place you stand on, or it can be a plan or a type of video game.

What is a Platform?

The word "platform" has several meanings, depending on how it is used. It often describes something that provides support or a base. This could be a solid, raised surface in the real world, or it could be a set of ideas that a group believes in. In the world of video games, a platform is a specific type of game where jumping and moving across different levels are key.

Political Platforms: What Parties Promise

A political platform is like a detailed plan or a list of promises that a political party makes to the public. Before an election, political parties create these platforms to show voters what they will do if they win. These promises cover many important topics, such as education, healthcare, the economy, and the environment.

Political parties want people to understand their goals and ideas. By sharing their platform, they hope to convince voters that their plans are the best for the country or community. For example, a party's platform might promise to build new schools, improve hospitals, or create more jobs. Voters can then compare the platforms of different parties and decide which one they agree with most.

Physical Platforms: Surfaces for Support

A physical platform is a raised, flat surface that can hold people or objects. Think of it as a stage or a sturdy base. These platforms are used in many different places for various reasons.

For example, a train station has a platform where people wait to board trains. A diving board at a swimming pool is a type of platform that divers jump from. In construction, workers might use a raised platform to reach high places safely. Even a simple board (wood) can be a platform if it is used to support something. The main purpose of a physical platform is to provide a stable and often elevated place.

Platform Games: Jumping Through Levels

A Platform game is a popular type of video game where the main goal is to control a character who jumps between different platforms. These games often involve moving across various levels, avoiding obstacles, and collecting items.

In platform games, players must time their jumps carefully to avoid falling or hitting enemies. The levels are usually designed with many different platforms, gaps, and moving parts. Famous examples of platform games include the Super Mario series, where Mario jumps on Goombas and collects coins, and the Sonic the Hedgehog games, where Sonic speeds through levels and collects rings. These games test a player's reflexes and problem-solving skills.