Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

measurement

Beet Science And Sensory Activities

by Leave a Comment

Beet science and sensory activities. Beet washing station, ordering beets by size, and growing new greens and roots. Links to two festive recipes.

_______

This fall at a greenhouse a display of golden beets caught my attention. They weren’t on my list to buy, but I couldn’t stop thinking about them after I got home. So on my next visit to the garden center, I purchased golden beets and a red bunch too. The showy vegetable-inspired beet science and sensory activities can be introduced on the fly.

_______

Beet Washing Station

Set one or both kinds of beets in a tray with water and a vegetable brush. Invite your early learner to scrub the beets to make their color shine.

Beet washing station with red beets.

_______

Red and golden beets in a beet washing station.

_______

Size Ordering With Beets

Encourage your little learner to order golden beets from largest to smallest.

Size ordering golden beets from largest to smallest.

_______

Growing Beet Greens

After removing the greens, set two beets upright in a small, clear bowl of water. In the following days, observe the earthy vegetables with your early learner. You will be amazed to see glossy new beet leaves growing, and a tangle of roots!

Science experiment to see if red beets can grow new greens.

_______

New greens and roots growing on beets placed in a container of water.

_______

Related: Carrot Theme Activities

_______

Beet Recipes

Beets are filled with nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, manganese, folate, and potassium. They are a source of fibre and contain antioxidants that are especially good for the eyes. And… the greens are equally nutritious. After your little one participates in beet science and sensory activities, try the following recipes:

Thanksgiving Beets Recipe

Christmas Beets Recipes

Cooking is science too!

_______

[Read more…] about Beet Science And Sensory Activities

Carrot Theme Activities

by Leave a Comment

One of the easiest vegetables to grow in an indoor or outdoor garden is carrots. This makes carrot activities ideal for hands-on nature experiences with young children.

_______

Carrot theme sensory, art, and baking activities.

_______

We usually think of carrots as orange, but did you know that they come in a variety of colors? You can purchase a rainbow bunch, which has purple, red, orange, yellow, and white carrots. Being a lover of all things colorful, I chose rainbow carrots for some of the carrot theme activities.

_______

Carrot Washing Station

A carrot washing station, set up outdoors or in a sensory tub indoors, offers early learners a farm day experience.

Rainbow carrot sensory tub to simulate a carrot washing station.

_______

Save the tops of the carrots for your little ones to use with a mortar and pestle. View the post by Fairy Dust Teaching called “SMASH, CRUSH, DESTROY! How To Use A Mortar And Pestle In Your Sensory Play” for more information about introducing these implements in early learning activities.

Carrot tops with mortar and pestle for early learners to explore.

_______

Curled Carrot Hair Portraits

Curled carrots make statement hairdos! On a sturdy piece of paper using felt pens, draw a face. Or have your little learners draw one. Invite them to add carrot hair to the face. Since natural human hair is made up of an array of colors, rainbow carrots work fabulously in this challenge.

Curled carrot hair portrait.

_______

If the carrot curls straighten, they still make striking hair.

Rainbow carrot hair portrait. An all-ages art activity.

_______

Carrot Contour Drawings

Contour carrot drawings are the perfect follow-up activity to reading a storybook such as “The Carrot Seed” by Ruth Krauss. And carrots make a superb subject for guided drawing.

Start by showing early learners a large carrot (with a green carrot top.) Hold up the carrot in one hand. Ask them to follow along with their eyes as you air trace around the outside with your other hand. Discuss the long, thin, triangular shape of the carrot, and the delicate lines in the carrot top. Afterward, offer green and orange felt pens and large pieces of paper for little learners to create one.  

Below are drawings preschoolers have made.

Carrot drawings completed by preschoolers.

_______

Carrot And Bunny Sensory Trays

Little learners love sensory trays with scooping, pouring, sifting, and counting opportunities. Below are two garden-themed trays. They prominently feature carrots and bunnies…a natural pairing!

The first tray has a green split pea base and is simple to put together. It includes:

  • plastic carrot cup with lid
  • rubber bunny woolies
  • ladle
  • wooden numbers
Split pea-based sensory tub with bunny woolies, numbers, ladle, and carrot cup with a lid.

_______

This second sensory tray is brimming with bunnies, carrots, numbers, and gems. Green split peas and black beans are the base ingredients.

Carrot and bunny-themed sensory tray.

_______

Carrot Measurement

A rectangular piece of sturdy cardboard, measuring tape, and washed carrots are all that is needed to give early learners practice in measuring the length of these crunchy vegetables.

_______

Along with offering carrots in early learning activities, include them in snacks too. And this Roasted Rainbow Carrot recipe from the Food Network Kitchen makes a colorful and appetizing addition to any meal.

Do you have a favorite carrot activity?  Share in a comment below.

_______

Related: Jumbo Carrot Paint Prints Video

_______

Printmaking with jumbo carrots. The paint colors used are inspired by rainbow carrots. This is an all-ages art activity.

_______

[Read more…] about Carrot Theme Activities