It is not just about observing and studying trees and plants. Botany is much more than that and your little one can draw great conclusions from it. And if you desert in him an unknown passion for the environment?
Botanical classes for children
Among the many activities and subjects that children have at their disposal, there is one that connects them in a particular way with the environment. I am talking about botany for children, an alternative of vital importance nowadays, although it does not always receive the space it deserves.
Botany is a branch of biology that is dedicated to the study of plants in all their aspects. Precisely, among the many origins of its denomination, the Greek term botánē, which means 'grass', represents it very clearly.
Basically, it is a science that is dedicated to studying the life of vegetables. It includes their sources of food, their role in the food chain and in each ecosystem and also their relationship with other living beings , which are based on the oxygen they expel to survive.
Beyond its relevance as a science, botany for children is essential to raise awareness about the role of vegetation on this planet. Thanks to it, they will learn to recognize species and acquire a taste for growing their own trees, plants and flowers.
Some schools in rural areas and also those with orientation to the natural sciences have a curriculum space dedicated to the natural sciences. Benefits and the planning of botanical classes for children.
Benefits of children learning about botany
Although a priori is not an issue that immediately attracts your attention, the plants present varieties that will be very attractive for children. As always, it's one thing to read about something in books, but another totally different thing is to witness it and examine it in person.
Botany classes for children will motivate the following benefits in them:
It will awaken interest in the knowledge of the species that make up their daily environment.
They will learn to care for and improve the environment.
They will know and transmit the importance of preserving the flora throughout the planet.
A passion can awaken in him that could well become a hobby or a vocation.
It is a subject that requires permanent contact with nature and the outdoors.
Mothers can also get involved to complement botanical activities for children at home.
Activities for botanical classes for children
1. Theoretical class
First, initiation activities in the subject should be considered. You can use study material such as books and summaries, as well as videos, photographs , diagrams and others.
In these classes, topics such as the types of plants, their functions, places where they are developed and the effects of climate change in each species will be addressed, among many other issues. It is also a good time to discuss how to contribute to the care of the flora in our region.
2. Hands on the job!
Nothing better to learn than to do it yourself. By assembling germinators or orchards, children can learn the whole process of making a seed until it becomes the plant we see as a result.
This activity can lead to more significant ones , such as planting trees in public places or in the same educational institution.
"Botany for children is essential to raise awareness about the role of vegetation on this planet"
3. Excursions
If you have parks or nature reserves near the school, it will be a great alternative to get out of the usual classes and get to know those species in the first person .
In these outings you can observe the variety of flora and fauna, the relationship between them and also the natural development of living beings far from the hands of man. In certain places, they also have endangered species that are worthy of admiration.
Later, this visit can serve to deepen the topics given in class. What have they seen that caught their attention? Are there differences between natural plants with respect to those we plant at home, at school or those we see in the squares?
4. Other activities
In addition to those already discussed, we can also find specific books so that the little ones can become even more familiar with the subject.
If you want to spend a nice afternoon with your son, you can invite him to go out collecting. On the way to the park or any other place, collect leaves, seeds and fruits of different trees and then try to find out what species it is. A secret: if you take photographs and upload them to the search engine, you will specifically see the plant you are looking for.
Botany for children will put them in permanent contact with nature.
Finally, you can also suggest to start a project together. To do this, take a notebook and assign each new species to find a sheet. In it, put their characteristics (scientific name, type, family, station, etc) and can even paste a sheet or at least draw it and color it.
As you may have noticed, botany for children is not just about sitting down to read about trees and plants. It is much more than that: it can mean an initial point of contact for your children to love nature for the rest of their lives.
