Plant Seeds and Keep a Growth Diary

Step by step

1. 1Gather fast-growing seeds (beans or lentils), a clear jar, cotton balls or soil, and a small notebook.
2. 2Plant together: let your child press the damp cotton and the seed against the glass to see the roots grow.
3. 3Place near a sunny window, with a small watering can or spray bottle within reach.
4. 4Check in regularly: ask "What changed since last time?" and look closely BEFORE watering. If nothing has sprouted yet, that's an observation too—write it down!
5. 5Log in the journal: a sketch, a sticker, or a date; just a few minutes a few times a week.
6. 6Flip through the journal from start to finish to see the progress, then replant in the garden or a big pot.

What it builds

Seeds don't sprout overnight: they teach children patience, gentle care, and how to notice small changes. A plant diary is their very first science journal, drawn long before they learn how to write.