Children show an interest in plants if they play with their leaves, bark or wood, or ask questions about how they work. Some babies have a strong interest in plants and can spend hours crawling through gardens and inspecting the fine details of every leaf.
Plants are truly amazing and they are essential for all humans to stay healthy and happy. Early childhood programs can support this through nature play and learning experiences about plants and seeds.
Extend the learning to native Australian plants, gardening and forests.
EYLF learning outcomes
The Early Years Learning Framework encourages children to connect with natural materials (4.4) and show respect for the environment (2.4).
Learning experiences
Observe how plants need water and light
Observe how a stick of celery draws up coloured water over several days:
- Cut off a stick of celery near the bottom of the plant, keeping the leaves on.
- Place a generous amount of red food colouring and water in a glass.
- Place the celery into the glass of water and observe.
Observe changes in a plant's leaves when they don't receive light.
- Place a pot plant in a sunny position and keep it appropriately watered.
- Gently wrap half the leaves with pieces of foil, so they can breathe but not receive light.
- Leave the plant in the sun. Each day, remove the foil from one leaf and observe any changes.
Create a catalogue of trees
Children can create a catalogue of trees or plants that are in or around their childcare centre, by photographing or sketching each one and adding them to a book. Where possible, write the name of each plant and any interesting information you learn about it. When the book is finished, share it with your families and add it to your bookshelf.
Watch a timelapse
Plant growth can be a difficult concept for children to understand. It happens so slowly and they can't see what's happening underground. Help children understand by showing them this timelapse video of a plant growing.
Events
- 12th May is International Day of Plant Health
- 22nd May is International Day for Biological Diversity
- Australian National Tree Day is in July
Discussions
- Why do we need plants? How do they help us?
- How can we protect plants?
Resources
Picture books
- The Tree by Graeme Base
- Beauty by Sandra Kendell
- The gentle genius of trees by Philip Bunting