Preschool Science in Summer

It's a radicle!

Now that the preschool year has come to a close, you are probably seeking out other learning opportunities for your child. I know that some camps can be expensive for families or there just may not be a science-related camp for early learners in your area. Here is an inexpensive and easy activity to try out this summer to continue learning at home.

For this activity, you’ll need 4 items: sunflower seeds, cotton balls, a plastic sandwich bag, and duct tape. Your child was most likely taught that plants need water, sunlight, and soil to grow over the past few weeks. They probably even grew a small plant in class.  So, let’s test their learning!

Soak the cotton balls with water and place them into the plastic sandwich bag. Next, throw in 2 or 3 seeds on top of the cotton balls. Seal the bag shut and duct tape the top to a window exposed to plenty of sunlight.

Ask your child what they think will happen. Do they think the seed will sprout and grow? If so, how tall will it grow? Using a ruler, determine how tall it will grow and make a mark. If they think it will not grow, ask them why. Tell your child that the seed will receive sunlight as it will be taped to the window and it will receive water through its roots because the cotton balls will be soaked.

Now, the hard part- waiting. Your seed will sprout in a couple of days and within 2 weeks it will grow leaves. But don’t take it out just yet! Wait another week and see what changes occur. Does it grow? Do the leaves change color? What about the roots?

It's a radicle!
It’s a radicle!

You will learn that growth will stop and the leaves will turn brown. At this point, you can take out the small plant and examine it. This is a great opportunity to ask your child why it stopped growing. What do you think you could have done differently? Let them guide you and discover the answer on their own. Perhaps you can add soil to the bag. Or was there too much water? Figure out the best way to grow a sunflower seed over the course of the summer together!