A close-up look at a common dandelion can show preschoolers all the steps of the plant cycle.
Preschoolers can see the amazing lives of plants all around them. They see daffodils popping up in the spring, they blow the seeds off of dandelions and they pick sweet-smelling flowers. To teach them the plant cycle, an adult only has to lead preschoolers in the right direction with simple facts and observations. Each step of the cycle, from seed to plant to flower, includes fun observations and hands-on activities for preschoolers and adults to enjoy. Does this Spark an idea?
Seeds
A seed is the dormant, or sleeping, plant. It has a seed coat on the outside. Inside, the seed includes an embryo and a food supply for the seedling. Seeds come in many different shapes and sizes. Preschoolers can collect and examine seeds from their house and yard. They can keep apple and orange seeds from their snack, or gather sunflower seeds from the bird feeder. Using a magnifying glass, preschoolers can examine their seed collection and note how different they are.
Seedlings
Seeds need moisture and warmth in order to germinate, or begin to grow. Then, the seed swells. It uses the food inside it to push out a tiny shoot. One end of the shoot will turn into a plants' stem and leaves, and the other end will turn into the roots. Preschoolers can watch this small miracle happen. Place a bean seed in a clear plastic baggie, with a moist paper towel behind it. Tape it to the refrigerator or somewhere on a wall where they can check on it each day. After about a week, preschoolers will see the shoot poke out.
Plants
As the seedling grows bigger leaves and roots, it will need sunshine, water and soil to survive. Preschoolers can do a simple experiment and see this for themselves. Take four of the same type of plant and treat each plant differently. Keep the first plant out of the sun. Give the second plant very little soil. Give the third plant no water. Give the fourth plant all three factors, and let preschoolers see how it thrives.
Flowers
When a plant is tall and strong, it grows a flower. Flowers attract bees, butterflies and flies with their sweet nectar and bright colors. These insects carry pollen from one flower to another. This is called pollination, and it allows the plant to make new seeds. Take a walk outside or bring flowers in to preschoolers. They can see the bright petals of peonies and marigolds, smell lilacs and roses, and touch the yellow pollen powder of dandelions. Outside, they can also observe insects hovering around flowers, doing the important job of pollination.
Scattering Seeds
After the plant is pollinated, its flower fades and falls apart. It produces fruits, berries or seed pods. Now the plant's job is to spread its seeds, and it does this in a number of interesting ways. Seeds can be spread by birds or animals that eat the fruit. They can be spread by the blowing wind. They can also hitch a ride on an animal's fur. Burrs, thistles, milkweed pods, dandelions and blackberries are all great examples to show children how seeds can be transported.
More Plant Fun
Songs, fingerplays and books about seeds are wonderful ways help preschoolers learn about plants as well. Raffi's "In My Garden" or "Oats and Beans and Barley Grow" and Laurie Berkener's "Bumblebee" songs are fun additions. Preschool Education's website offers a number of songs with actions to help children remember the steps of the plant cycle.
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