Seeds, greens and legumes can be used to create a whole host of interesting and enjoyable learning opportunities. Marianne Sargent offers some food for thought.

After a winter that seems to have lasted an eternity, spring has finally sprung and vegetable plants are in the ground. A topic about vegetables is ideal for the foundation stage, as it provides a wide range of opportunities for sensory exploration. But vegetables are not just for growing, harvesting, preparing and tasting. They are also very useful for craft and their everyday familiarity to children makes them the ideal object of memory games too.

Use the picture book Jasper's Beanstalk by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen (Hodder Children's Books) as a starting point for learning about growing vegetables.

Adult role

Learning opportunities

PD: Handles tools and objects safely and with increasing control.

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