ELP Gardens Galore – Tangalooma EcoMarines

Gardens Galore

What do plants need to grow?

Gardening is a fantastic way for young people to learn about natural processes and understand where their food comes from. Germinating seeds, planting seedlings, composting and starting a worm farm are all fantastic ways to connect with nature!

This Eco-Focus will teach your children what resources plants need to grow BIG and STRONG from little seeds. They will then get to create their own picture book using the template below to take home and remind them of the plant growth journey.

Early Years Learning Framework

Learning Outcomes:

2.4 – Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment

3.2 – Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and wellbeing

4.2 – Children develop a range of skills and processes

Principles:

3. High expectations and equity

Practices:

1. Holistic approaches

CHALLENGE: Plant Picture Book!

EQUIPMENT:

Gardening equipment – seeds, small pots, soil, gloves, water.

Printed out version of the Plant Picture Book – one for every child involved OR you can have one for the whole class to share

Camera and access to printer

TIME NEEDED:

3 weeks for seed germination and creating the picture book

Step 1 - What do plants need to grow?

Before starting the practical aspect of the challenge, we recommend showing the children the videos below. The videos will help them gain a better understanding of plant growth phases and what five things plants/seeds need to grow healthy and strong. You can print out the poster below as well to remind children of the five things.

Step 2 - Growing plants from seeds!

Include children in germinating seeds and/or growing seedlings. You may choose to grow one plant per class group or centre, or you may wish to give a small pot to each child.

If you want to add an extra challenge, try to use recycled items as pots such as yoghurt containers, toilet rolls, newspaper etc. You can even get seeds from food items to germinate and create new plants. To see how, take a look at the guide below.

Step 3 - Watching Plants Grow

Document the journey of the seeds germinating and growing. Ensure children are shown what five things to give the plants to grow and allow the children to document this via photo-taking or drawings. You will be able to use this for the next step.

Space: Children sowing seeds in their own pots
Soil: Children planting seeds in the pots with soil
Water: Children watering plants
Light: Children placing pots in sun light
Air: Children ensuring pots are placed in a well ventilated space e.g. outside, windowsill etc.

Step 4 - Plant Picture Book!

Use the story book template below to create the children’s very own plant picture book which tells the story of the five things plants and seeds need to grow.

You can print one book out for the whole class or centre OR print one for each child. Use the children’s pictures and/or photos to help fill in the story book so that it is personalised for them!

Note: If you would rather have an online version of this template (to make one picture book for your class) and have a Canva account, email us and we can send you an editable link.

Submit!

Use the form to the right to submit!

We can't wait to see your centers' picture book!

The winning centre of this competition will get their Plant Picture Book illustrated and printed professionally! The EcoMarines team will come to your centre to present your new book.

Want to grow more plants or have your own early learning garden?

Your centre can apply for a Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant! Click to see more information and how you can apply!

You could even apply for free native plants if your school is within the Brisbane City Council area.

Finished Germinating your seeds? Check out these ways to upcycle your new seedlings!

Sell your plants to families, you can set up a little stall outside your centre
Create gifts out of your seedlings for holidays such as Mothers day!
Plant your seedlings in your centres garden
Place in upcycled pots e.g. old tyres or containers to use as pot plant decorations!

Activities about Gardening and Plants

Worm Farms and Composting

Worm farms and composts are a great way of getting rid of food waste in your centre!

You can either purchase a worm farm or composting system or even make your own out of recycled materials.

If you centre is within the Brisbane City Council region, you may be eligible for a rebate if you purchase a new composting system.

After you have set up your system, it is important to educate your centre staff and children on what material can and cannot go in it! Ensure you have food scrap collection bins in the right areas as well e.g. kitchen, eating areas, classrooms. You can even make a roster for your classrooms – each day, one class is in charge of emptying these bins into the compost or worm farm!

Stingless Bees and Butterfly Habitats

Bring native wildlife into your centre by creating habitats!

Bees are incredibly important for pollination of Australia’s native plants. You can purchase a native stingless bee hive for you centre. Children can watch bees at work and grow an appreciation for our smaller wildlife.

Create a butterfly habitat to bring these amazing creatures into your centre! You only need to create a shallow water source such as a plate and surround it with colorful native, nectar-rich plants!

Recycled Water for your Garden

Try and use rainwater to water your centre's plants and gardens!

There are plenty of ways to recycle water or collect water for your centre’s garden. This is great way to educate your children on conserving water and also how important recycling is! Get your children involved!

Ways to collect water:

Get children to put buckets or containers out to collect water during rain
Place containers under running taps or leaky hoses and allow children to take these containers at the end of the day to water plants

Ways to recycle water:

Place a container at the exit of your centre for children to empty their water bottles out in to use for the garden