Observing Plants and Their Needs
Here's What To Do
1
Show your child real plants or pictures of plants. Talk about how all plants need water and sunlight. For example, “The cactus doesn’t need much water because it lives in the desert.”
2
Explain that some plants need more water than others. “This sunflower needs more water to grow tall.”
3
Let your child help water the plants. Say, “We’ll water the sunflower so it can grow strong!”
4
Ask, “Which plant do you think needs more water, the cactus or the sunflower?”
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Take three deep breaths and together fill the watering can.
E
Engage:
- “Why do you think the cactus doesn’t need much water?”
- “How do you think the sunflower feels when it gets lots of sunlight?”
E
Encourage:
- Let your child hold the watering can and water the plants on their own with assistance from you as needed.
- “I love how you noticed the cactus needs less water!”
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Reflect:
- “What do you think would happen if the sunflower didn’t get enough water or sunlight?”
Not quite ready?
Help your child water the plants and talk about why the cactus needs less water than the sunflower.
Ready for more?
Talk about different environments, like deserts and rainforests, and how they affect plant needs.
As your child masters this skill...
Start recognizing that plants have different needs depending on where they grow.