This is a fun science experiment that is surprisingly simple and a fun pairing to this classic fairy tale. It invites you to think about how our tiny bean stalks differ from the giant bean stalk in the story!
Set up Time: 5 minutes
Directions
- Fill a clear cup (glass or plastic) with cotton balls, slide dried beans against the sides of the cup so children can see the progress.
- Water lightly then place in an area exposed to sunlight
- Water lightly every day
- In 4-5 days you should start to see sprouts and within 2 weeks a beanstalk
Materials
- Clear cups (plastic or mason jars)
- Cotton balls
- Dried beans
Safety Warning
Dry beans and cotton balls are a choking hazard for young children. Watch young children carefully to sure they do not put these items in their mouths.
Learning Through Play
Cognitive: Connections – How do they know the plant is growing? What are the first signs that the bean is changing? What other plants grow? Does this make children think of anything else?
Social-Emotional: Patience – Planting and gardening is a great way to teach children patience! As children are learning to make sense of time, invite them to reflect on the amount of time it takes for plants to grow and what it feels like in their bodies to have to wait?
School Readiness: Measurement – Use a ruler to measure your bean and take time to show children the different units of measurement. Or, take a popsicle stick and invite children to make little marks that measure the length of the bean roots.
See this activity in the Rayz Kidz app, along with the other fun STEM activities. Rayz Kidz is your trusted source for play-based activities featuring over 100 themes and 500+ hands-on activities and clear descriptions of the beautiful learning that is happening through play.
