Soil, also known as dirt, is the natural material that covers the surface of the earth. It is a mixture of minerals, water, air, organic matter and organisms. Soil is an incredible topic to explore in early childhood education.
Some babies and toddlers are fascinated with dirt for sensory reasons, they love being outside with brown hands and faces.
Preschool children may love soil for the same reasons, but also understand it has amazing powers. It helps plants and gardens grow. And dirt plus water makes mud!
EYLF learning outcomes
Early childhood educators can get children dirty as part of the Early Years Learning Framework. Dirt is a natural material (4.4) that encourages respect for nature (2.4). It also encourages curiosity, imagination, creativity (4.1), problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating (4.2).
Learning experiences
Examine earth
Dig up a section of earth that is covered in grass. Place it on a table indoors and let children investigate it with magnifying glasses.
Observe how worms, insects, and other organisms live in the soil. If you don't have one already, start a worm composting bin and observe the process of decomposition.
Describe soil
Obtain as many different soil samples as possible - sandy, clay, loamy, rich compost, and potting mix. Encourage children to observe and describe the different colours and textures of the soil types, while ensuring their safety.
Black, brown, coarse, compact, crumbly, dirty, dry, dusty, grey, gritty, loose, organic, red, sandy, smelly, smooth, wet, waterlogged, yellow, rocky, rich.
Events
- International Composting Awareness Week is in May
- 17th June is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
- 5th of December is World Soil Day
Resources
Picture books
Superworm by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Websites
- Agriculture Victoria: What is soil?
- Soil Science Society of America: What is soil?