ScienceGrade 2nd· Why Does My Tummy Growl?
Why Does My Tummy Growl?
Squeeze-waves (peristalsis) push food, liquid, and air along.
Learning Objective
Kids learn the tummy rumble ("borborygmi") is the sound of air and food being squeezed through the stomach and intestines, and it's louder when empty.
What You'll Learn
- Squeeze-waves (peristalsis) push food, liquid, and air along.
- Empty tummy = more air + space = louder echo (GRRRR).
- Growls can mean hunger OR just normal digestion.
- Everyone's tummy does it.
Words to Know
- Borborygmi
- The science word for a tummy rumble — it sounds like the noise!
- That loud GRRRR is borborygmi.
- Peristalsis
- Slow squeeze-waves that push food through your body!
- Peristalsis pushes food along like a wave.
- Intestines
- The long, curvy tubes where food keeps traveling!
- Air sloshing in the intestines makes gurgles.
- Digestion
- How your body breaks food into tiny bits to use!
- Tummies gurgle during digestion too.
Check What You Learned
Quick Quiz
1 / 4What does “Borborygmi” mean?
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Lesson Info
Grade 2nd
2026-07-17
Why Does My Tummy Growl?
Standards Alignment
- Health / Human Body
the digestive system and how muscles move food
- 4-LS1-1
internal structures (stomach, intestines) function to support survival
Play the whole series
Episode 3 of gross body files
Keywords
2nd grade sciencescience for kidstummygrowlborborygmiperistalsisintestinesdigestionHealth / Human Body4-LS1-1kids learningelementary education
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