Learning the basic land biomes in the world is largely a matter of identification of major landform features. Preschool children learn about these features through the creation and use of textured flashcards. Textured flashcards combine the sense of touch and sight in finding the right answer. Children begin by making basic flashcards on features of the four major biomes. For example, flashcards for deserts would have sand or cacti with images of sand enhanced with sandpaper and cacti images using paint brush bristles for the points on cacti. When completed, the flashcards will help children learn biomes and coordinating features related to each.
Tundra, grassland, desert and forest biomes have specific animals which call the areas home. Preschool children can internalize lessons on the various types of animals in each biome through matching games. For group-focused games, teachers first instruct children on the basic biome categories through descriptions and images. Next, an image of each biome is placed on the board with its name written above. Children are then presented with images and names of different animals and asked to match them to the correct biome. For example, a picture of a polar bear would be matched to the tundra category. If possible, animal images should show some indication of habitat so as to make biome classification easier. As each animal is matched, teachers explain how the animal is suited to the biome.
Visual aids like landforms help preschool children understand concepts such as biomes. For comparison, models of each type of biome can be made from different materials such as blocks, clay or even paper mache. Forests, the biggest biome in the world, are made into models using tree, plant and mammal forms. Tundra models may use a flat surface painted white or covered in spray snow. Grassland models depict the open space and prevalence of grass using green colors or model grass. Deserts can be made from flatter surfaces covered in sand or sandpaper, with cactus forms. The preschool class can be divided into four groups, with each group building their own model. Once the models are complete, teachers can lead discussions with the children on the features of each biome.
Simple biome activities, using plastic bottles, make for learning opportunity concerning the role of biomes in sustaining life. Children are each given a two-liter bottle with the top cut off, potting soil, seeds, rocks and a sealable plastic bag. The materials, with the exception of the bag, are placed in the bottle bottom. The seeds are watered and the bottle bottom is placed in the bag and sealed. Children place their biomes in a partially sunny area and watch the seeds germinate and grow into plants. As the plants grow, teachers instruct children on how the process is part of biological life in certain biomes.