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Spring and summer are two seasons that are perfect to do gardening with young children and learn about plants. You are invited to download free sorting printable cards with parts of a plant diagram and picture cards for preschool children.

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.
– Alfred Austin
Now for many families and schools around the world is the best time to start planting a garden and teach little ones about the basics of gardening. I would love to help! Here are some of my freebies! I hope this will get you inspired!

About Plants
Plants are fascinating organisms that play an essential role in our everyday lives. They are not only beautiful to look at, but they also provide us with oxygen, food, and medicine. Plants are incredibly diverse, with over 300,000 species known to science.
They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny mosses to towering trees. Some plants are even carnivorous, meaning they eat insects! Plants are also incredibly adaptable, able to survive in a wide range of environments from deserts to rainforests. It’s no wonder that humans have been cultivating and studying plants for thousands of years.
Plants are fascinating living organisms that have various parts that work together to help them grow, reproduce, and survive. One of the most important parts of a plant is the root. The root anchors the plant in the ground and absorbs water and nutrients from the soil. The stem of the plant supports the leaves and flowers and transports water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant.
The leaves of a plant are responsible for photosynthesis, which is the process of converting sunlight into energy that the plant can use. The flowers of a plant are important for reproductive purposes, as they contain the plant’s reproductive organs. Each part of a plant plays a crucial role in its growth and survival, and understanding these parts can help us appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Plants life cycle
Plants have a fascinating life cycle that starts with a seed. Once the seed is planted, it begins to germinate and eventually sprouts a tiny plant. As the plant grows, it develops leaves and stems, and eventually flowers.
The flowers are responsible for producing the seeds that will continue the cycle. Once the seeds are produced, they fall to the ground and begin the process all over again. It’s amazing to think that such a complex and intricate process can happen naturally!

Learning about plants in preschool
In preschool, children learn about plants through hands-on activities and observation. They explore the different parts of a plant, such as the roots, stem, leaves, and flowers, and learn about how they grow and produce food through photosynthesis.
Preschoolers engage in planting seeds and caring for plants, learning about the importance of sunlight, water, and nutrients. They also learn about the different types of plants, like fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and their uses. Through these activities, preschoolers develop an appreciation for nature and the environment.
Hands-on Activities you might like to give a go in your classroom
- Planting Seeds: Children can learn about the life cycle of a plant by planting seeds in small pots filled with soil. They can observe the growth of the plant and learn about the different stages of its development.
- Parts of a Plant: Children can learn about the different parts of a plant such as the roots, leaves, stem, and flowers. (See below) They can explore the functions of each part and how they work together to help the plant survive.
- Leaf Rubbings: Children can make leaf rubbings by placing a leaf on a piece of paper and rubbing a crayon or pencil over it. They can examine the unique patterns and textures of each leaf and compare them to other leaves.
- Flower Dissection: Children can dissect a flower to explore its different parts such as the petals, stigma, and stamen. They can learn about the role of each part in the pollination process.
- Nature Walks: Children can take a nature walk to observe and identify different types of plants in their local environment. They can also collect samples and create a nature journal to document their findings.
- Composting: Children can learn about the cycle of decomposition by creating their own compost bin. They can add organic materials such as food scraps and yard waste and observe how the materials break down and turn into nutrient-rich soil.
- Plant Growth Experiments: Children can conduct simple experiments to observe and measure the growth of plants under different conditions such as light, water, and temperature. They can learn about the importance of these factors in plant growth and survival.
- Herb Garden: Children can create their own little herb garden by planting and caring for herbs such as basil, oregano, and mint. They can learn about the different uses of herbs in cooking and medicine.
Planting an herb garden with children in the classroom can be a fun and educational activity. Here are some steps to follow:
- Choose a suitable location: Select an area in the classroom that receives enough sunlight and is easily accessible to children.
- Decide on the herbs: Choose easy-to-grow herbs such as basil, parsley, rosemary, chives, oregano, and mint. You can also let the children vote on which herbs to plant.
- Gather the supplies: You will need pots or containers, soil, seeds or starter plants, watering cans, and labels.
- Prepare the pots: Fill the pots with soil and make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom.
- Plant the seeds or starter plants: Follow the instructions on the seed packet or plant label to know the proper planting depth and spacing. Encourage the children to work together and get their hands dirty!
- Water the herbs: Give the herbs enough water to keep the soil moist but not too soggy.
- Label the herbs: Write the names of the herbs on small labels and put them in the pots.
- Observe and care for the herbs: Teach the children to monitor the growth of the herbs and to check the soil moisture regularly. They can also help to prune the herbs when needed.
- Use the herbs: Once the herbs have matured, use them to make herbal teas, seasoning for dishes, or to decorate the classroom.
Planting an herb garden with children in the classroom is a great way to teach them about the environment, nutrition, and responsibility. Have fun and enjoy the process!
- Plant Classification: Children can learn about the different types of plants and how they are classified based on their characteristics. They can explore the differences between trees, shrubs, herbs, and more.
- Photosynthesis: Children can learn about the process of photosynthesis by exploring how plants convert sunlight into energy. They can also conduct experiments to understand the role of chlorophyll in this process.
- Garden Design: Children can learn about the elements of garden design by creating their own garden plan. They can learn about the importance of factors such as light, soil type, and plant placement in creating a successful garden.
- Plant Adaptations: Children can learn about the unique adaptations that plants have to help them survive in different environments. They can study plants such as cacti and succulents that are adapted to hot and dry climates.
- Botanical Art: Children can learn about botanical art by using different mediums to create their own plant-inspired artwork. They can also learn about the history and significance of botanical art.
- Seed Saving: Children can learn about the importance of seed saving by collecting and preserving seeds from their favorite plants. They can also learn about the role of seeds in plant reproduction and biodiversity.
- Harvesting and Cooking: Children can learn about the nutritional value of plants by harvesting and cooking their own produce. They can also explore different recipes and cooking methods to use the plants they have grown.

Parts of the plant printable
Download my Parts of a Plant printable. It includes Parts of a Plant poster and a sorting activity with forty pictures. Children are invited to sort pictures into four groups: roots, seeds, flowers and leaves.

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Free Printables Designed by Montessori Nature
- Free Resource Library
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- Parts of a Plant Sorting
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- Fall Into Learning Fun With Autumn-Themed Geoboard Cards Free Printable For Kids
- Letter A Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter D Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter E Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter F Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter G Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter B Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter C Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter H Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter i Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter J Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter K Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter L Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter M Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter N Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter O Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter P Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter Q Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter R Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter S Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter U Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter T Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter W Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter V Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter Y Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter X Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Letter Z Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Double Letters CH Digraph Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Double Letters SH Digraph Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Double Letters Th Digraph Student Activity Page Phonics Language Printable
- Double Letters ‘OO’ Vowel Digraph
- ‘ER’ Digraph Student Activity Page Phonics Language Printable
- ‘OR’ Digraph Student Activity Page Phonics Language Printable
- Double Letters ‘EE’ Vowel Digraph Student Activity Page Phonics Language Printable
- Double Letters ‘NG’ Digraph Student Activity Page Phonics Free Language Printable
- Made By Nature Made By Humans Sorting
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