Love Food? Love Seeds! - Comparing Seeds

EYLF Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcome 2:

• Children are connected with and contribute to their world
• 2.4 Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment

Learning Outcome 4:

• Children are confident and involved learners
• 4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity
• 4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating
• 4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Learning Outcome 5:

• Children are effective communicators
• 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes

Ages 0 – 2:

• Collect a range of dried seeds, such as rice (white, brown and/or black), wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, beans, poppy, sunflower, pumpkin (pepitas), sesame, chia, quinoa, corn. Place the different types of seeds in plastic tubs or clear plastic zip-lock bags and seal with sticky tape (by placing seeds into bags, children will be able to feel the seeds, however, if you think little fingers might be able to poke through the bags then place seeds into plastic tubs). If you find that your supermarket has a limited range of seeds, consider visiting a health food or produce store. 
• To make seed maracas you will need:
  • Dried seeds
  • Two milk/juice bottle lids of the same size for each child
  • Masking tape
  • Ice cream sticks (optional)
  • Seed maracas instructions (optional)
  •  Tape and marker pens to decorate (optional)
• Optional: Print the Nut Flashcards and stick the provocations to the back of each corresponding image.

Ages 3 to 5:

• Collect a range of dried seeds, such as rice (white, brown and/or black), wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, beans, poppy, sunflower, pumpkin (pepitas), sesame, chia, quinoa, corn. If required, place the different types of seeds in plastic tubs or clear plastic zip-lock bags and seal with sticky tape (by placing seeds into bags, children will be able to feel the seeds, however, if you think little fingers might be able to poke through the bags then place seeds into plastic tubs). If you find that your supermarket has a limited range of seeds, consider visiting a health food or produce store. 
• Seed crafts:
  • Maracas – Dried seeds, two milk/juice bottle lids of the same size for each child, masking tape, ice cream sticks (optional), Seed maracas instructions (optional), and tape and marker pens to decorate (optional).
  • Mosaics or mandalas – Dried seeds, glue and paper (or use this template to stick seeds to).
• Optional: Print the Nut Flashcards and stick the provocations to the back of each corresponding image.

This lesson has been created in partnership with ACT for Bees. ACT for Bees is a not-for-profit organisation taking action to preserve these essential pollinators, ensuring a food-secure future.