Gardening offers the opportunity for children to develop a vast array of skills. The wonderment of what will happen if I place this seed in soil captures the minds of all young children. Dirt, water, and seeds provide endless sensory experiences. In addition to academic based skills such as math and literacy, children will explore emotional skills as they nurture the growth of a plant. Affiliate link:
This sorting activity engaged children from 18 months to 3 years old. Each carrot is a different width. There is only one correct spot for each carrot. The wooden base is solid and each carrot is well constructed to be durable. You can purchase this product at the above affiliate link. You won’t be disappointed!
In addition to size sorting, this activity offers children the opportunity to sort shapes. Each compost bin has a different shape. Children are to sort the vegetable cards into each compost bin. Sorting is both a math and literacy skill. Children are noticing differences and similarities. When children sort objects, they are learning a fundamental math skills. They are learning how rules apply to sets. The act of sorting mimics the function in the brain to file new vocabulary. This process is called fast mapping and is essentially a sorting process.
The following activity can be downloaded here for a low fee:
Here is a FREE download to sort by sizes. Small, medium, and large are included!
The following activity provides children with fine motor skills along with the sorting skills. Use pompoms, sorting vegetables, or foam vegetables to sort into each seed packet. You can use a sorting tray or simply place the seed packets on a table. You can also tape them to an envelope for a more realistic feel.
As a planting activity, we used vegetable stickers to decorate small colored pots. Children placed dirt, seeds, and water in each pot and were excited to watch them grow!
Additional activities include:
Patterning is a fundamental preschool skill. Patterning helps with math, science, and language skills.
Children will use visual discrimination skills as they recreate the fence with colored popsicle sticks. Visual discrimination is the process of seeing differences between two things. Children use these skills when learning to read. It is important to give young children the chance to practice and develop these skills. This activity encourages children to spot the differences while actively being involved.
You will receive 10 distinct fence pattern cards. The cards also have different numbers of growing items needing to be contained. This will allow the children to also use math skills.
Directions:
•Print the fence building pages.
•Provide the children colored popsicle sticks that can be found here (affiliate link): 200 PCS Colorful Craft Sticks Natural Wooden 4-1/2″ Length Treat Sticks Great for DIY Craft Creative Designs
•Encourage the children to recreate the fence patterns.
This .pdf printable includes 3 color flowers and 1 black/white flowers with circles for children to place an object, stick a sticker, or mark with a dauber. Children will develop one-to-one correspondence in addition to fine motor skills!
You will receive a .pdf download of:
- 1 to 10 gardening puzzle cards
Use these cards to practice counting. Children will also use visual discrimination to match the written number to the garden item.
This .pdf download includes 6 unique lines to trace. Children will match the watering can to the growing plant.
They will practice key comprehension skills as they sort the real items from the clipart items. Children will also develop classification skills that are helpful with math.
There are endless possibilities in a gardening preschool theme! Below are some other resources full if ideas:
- https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2018/04/garden-activities-for-preschool.html
- https://www.pinkoatmeal.com/garden-themed-fine-motor-activities/
- https://teaching2and3yearolds.com/preschool-gardening-ideas/
- https://www.pre-kpages.com/science-for-kids-planting-and-growing-in-preschool/
- https://mothernatured.com/gardening/garden-crafts-for-kids/