According to PBS, teaching preschoolers about science concepts, such as the life cycle of flowering plants, encourages children to use observational skills along with helping to develop children's communication and classification abilities. Setting up a science area in the classroom allows for science experiments and observations.
Create a learning activity to use with students in teaching the life cycle of flowering plants. Children benefit from having something tangible to use when learning, so creating a simple flip book with pictures showing the process of germination is helpful to preschoolers. Use a germination printout from the Internet or create a collection of small square drawings on a sheet of paper showing the change a seed goes through with the help of water, soil and sun in becoming a mature plant.
Have preschoolers color in the pictures of the seed moving through the process of germination, cut the squares out, and punch holes at the top of each square. The pages can then be put in order and threaded with a piece of string for reference use.
Gather several types of seeds such as watermelon, wildflowers and tomato to use for the science experiment. Along with seeds, you will need several small pots, potting soil, and pictures of flowering plants. Share with preschoolers information about photosynthesis, the process plants use to turn energy from the sun into food, along with how insects help to pollinate flowering plants to create future seeds and plants. Have preschoolers help plant the seeds in pots and place in the science area within the classroom to observe.
Make a chart to remind preschool children of the days passed since planting, along with documentation of watering. Once plants have begun to sprout, transfer the flowering plants to an outdoor location. Have children help tend the plants and, eventually, taste the fruits and vegetables that are produced. Harvest seeds from the fruits and vegetables to use for future experiments.
Teaching preschoolers about the life cycle of a flowering plant introduces them to key concepts such as germination, photosynthesis and pollination. Doing a hands-on activity dealing with the life cycle of a plant encourages young children to respect nature, and the food that the plants produce.