Watering a Plant
Materials:
Tray
Small pitcher with water
Small absorbent cloth
Plants around the room
Following exercise:
Large watering can for outside plants
Purposes:
Coordination of Movement (Gross Motor Control)
Fine Motor Control
Independence
Preparation for Biology
Age: 3 -3 ½
Preparation: Dry Pouring and Pouring Water
Presentation:
Invite one child for the lesson on watering the plants.
Show the child the materials on the shelf, how to pick up and carry the watering can with two hands.
Walk around the room until you locate a plant.
Slide the cloth down the spout, tip the spout at the base of the plant, allow just a little bit of water to water the plant. Side the cloth back up again.
Ask the child if they noticed how much water you used.
Repeat for one more plant.
Return the watering can on the shelf and invite the child. Encourage repetition.
Fade and observe.
Points of Interest:
Moving the cloth down the spout when pouring.
Keeping the cloth at the spout to keep from spilling.
The small amount of water put on the plant.
Following Exercises:
Large watering can for plants in the outdoor environment
How to check the soil to see if it's damp or dry
Pedagogical Notes:
Watering the plants can orient and connect a new student to their environment.
Think of a system to show what plants have been watered such as a popsicle stick placed in the soil.
Look for plants with a variety of leaf shapes and for those where you can see the soil look.
Make sure you are aware of what plants you cannot have in the classroom according to your state childcare licensing.
Plants that die make great conversations around what went wrong-too much water, not enough water, not enough sun?