Plants and Seeds inquiry - Part 2

Here is an update on our inquiry on plants and seeds.

The kids were finding it tough to understand the difference between seeds, tubers, and bulbs. So to understand roots better we bought this Root viewer. Here they are planting carrot, spring onion and radish. We are caring for the plants everyday and watching the roots grow.

Planting in Rootviewer

Here is a picture of our beans plants  sprouting and growing at different stages. Nidhi keenly observed this progress and recorded her observation by modeling with play dough. 

Beans plant in different stages of growth

Here is a short video of Nidhi explaining how a bean plant sprouts and grows.

Beans have been the fastest growing plant and the kids measured the  growth using a scale. We observed that beans plant grew a half to one inch everyday.

Nidhi measuring the height of beans plant

It is only natural to practice writing numbers and make your own scale after measuring the plants.

Nidhi making her own measuring scale

The kids wondered if plants can grow without soil. So we tried a little experiment by soaking some moong beans in water and leaving it out on window sill.

We watched the beans germinating for next few days but they started to rot before sprouting. So we concluded that plants need soil to grow. 

Do seeds need soil to grow? - a little experiment

Here are some interesting thoughts and conversations going on with the kids.

Sid: I found a mushroom.
Nidhi: It looks just like a plant.


Sid: Do plants drink milk?
Nidhi : No! They drink only water.
Me: Do you want to test it?
Nidhi: No they will drink only water.

Sid: Roots are very sharp. Roots will break off when you walk on them.

I can see that the twins are in awe of the whole process of seeds turning into plants. Sid draws a lot about plants and their growth and I love that over time he has started adding more finer details of his understanding in his drawings. Here are a few of his creations.

A beans plant - Notice the fine details of root

Did you know? - Lots of new plants come up when it rains!

A Spring garden - with bees, butterflies and snails!

We have also been looking out for seeds when playing out in the park. Nidhi blew a dandelion and exclaimed, "Look Mom! It flies like a parachute!". 

Nidhi blowing a dandelion

"I am seeing if dandelion seeds fly up when I blow lying down", wondered Sid. 

Sid blowing a dandelion

I love this picture of Sid. So calm, carefree interaction with nature.

Though this topic can be explored more, I think the twins are happy with their learning as of now. 

This inquiry on plants has led the kids to be more observant of their environment. They have learnt to slow down, look deeply and respect even the smallest seedling they come across.

When children are encouraged to attune with nature in ways applicable to their daily life,  they become perspective and sensitive to feeling nature beyond the visual, and can truly connect to and love their world and their place in the world. 

 - Kelly Johnson