Give each child a small clear plastic cup with a seed of a fast-growing plant, such as beans. The children should then put a small amount of soil in the cup, then add the seed directly on one side of the cup and top with more soil. Have the children water the seeds and learn how to check for moisture in the soil over the next several days. They should start to see not only the plants grow up but the roots grow down by the edge of the cup, so they get to see exactly how a plant grows, even under the soil.
Bring samples of flowers, fruits and vegetables that have seeds into your classroom. Have the children figure out where the seeds might be, such as in the middle of a sunflower or in the core of an apple. Separate the fruits and show the children the seeds. Show fruits that have seeds in a more unusual way, such as clusters inside a kiwifruit or seeds on the outside of a strawberry.
Soak lima beans in water overnight so they are soft and easy to split. Have each child carefully split the lima beans in half so they can see the inside. They will be able to see the shell, a baby plant and food for the plant all inside the seed.
Seeds have healthy fats as well as protein, so introducing them to young children as a source of nutrition is important. In the autumn, if you have a pumpkin in the classroom, scoop out the seeds and roast them with a little salt and oil for the children to try. You can also do this with other types of squash seeds or bring in sunflower and sesame seeds.