How does your garden grow?

This is a wonderfully engaging activity to study the life cycle of a plant. We first did this lesson with my eldest in October 2017 and revised it verbally in the 2019 #mindfulinmarch challenge guide. Now that it's spring we have done our revised version with photos to share. 

There are three options for this lesson, each providing a creative, sensory experience.
-The first where the child can create their own flowers, sprouts and seeds with different mediums such as paint, pastels, crayons, pencils and even clay. If you choose this version, I recommend mixing it up with a combination to provide a beautiful varied look to the final result and to create them on thick cardboard so they stand.
-The second where the child can use real seeds, leaves and flowers. We glued some of our Dried Sun Flowers onto sticks as well. Dried/fallen leaves can act as sprouts. 
-The third with a combination of the two. 
 

 

•  Flowers - Dried, fresh or created. 
•  Growing plant - Representing your sprouting plant you can use dried/fallen leaves or created sprouts.
• Seeds - You can use real seeds or create some with clay.
•  Dirt - Make some playdough for your soil, using cacao powder or cinnamon for colour (and a delightful fragrance).
  
  Involve your child in creating or collecting as many of the components as they can. 

 

Dirt Playdough

Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups boiling water
3 tbsp cream of tartar
2 tbsp oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup ground cinnamon

Method

1. Combine flour, salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon and cocoa powder.
2. Add oil and boiling water, combining to form a dough.
3. Knead until smooth.

1.  Place the components out with a woodslice or board at the front for the child to create their garden on. Ask them to spread some 'dirt' play dough over their board to create their garden base. 
2. Next ask what order they think the components go in, this is a great time to discuss the life cycle or read a storybook on the subject, during the process and play. 

Book recommendations to pair with the lesson
- A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long
- The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
- Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman