By contributing writer Marci
Preschoolers are like little sponges. Everything is new and interesting, and they absorb so much from the world around them. These little learners are great at observing, testing, and figuring out how things work. Preschoolers are natural born scientists!
Flowers seem to draw preschoolers in. When our kids were little, I’d always find them at the edges of the lawn looking at, touching, and sometimes picking flowers from the flower beds. They were amazed by the different colors and shapes of the flowers and the leaves.
Teaching preschool science with flowers is natural learning that doesn’t have to be forced. This natural interest makes flowers a great tool for teaching preschoolers new skills and concepts.
Teaching Colors
Take your preschooler on a walk in your backyard, if you have flowers, or in a park or botanical garden. Give the child a crayon or paint chip card in a color that you know will match a flower on your walk. Tell the child their job is to match the color of their object to a flower.
When they have matched their color, give them another crayon or color card. Depending on the child, you may want to give them two colors to look for.
Counting
Flower petals are so fun for little ones to count. Let your child count the petals from multiple flowers and see if they notice a difference.
Compare and Contrast
Introduce your child to the concept of similar but not the same. Look at two different flowers and work with your child to find how the flowers are same and how they are different. Start with color, petal shape, leaf shape, main parts of the flower, and scent.
Learn Flower Parts
As your preschooler is observing a flower or flowering plant, tell them the main parts: flower, stem, leaves. Then, you can add roots and petals.
Use a Magnifying Glass
Flower parts are so interesting to look at under a magnifying glass. Children can see the texture of the petals, leaves, and stems. They can even see pollen and smaller flower structures.
Flower Art
What child doesn’t like to draw flowers? Flowers are one of the first things children learn to draw. The simple shapes that make up flowers make them easy for children to draw or to create with other objects. Their colors make them interesting and fun.
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