Jack and the Beanstalk Bean Planting

Take some time exploring the world of Fairy Tales.  Read Jack and the Beanstalk with your child.  If you do not have the book at home there are many options for Jack and the Beanstalk read aloud online.  After reading the book plant your three beans in a planter or Styrofoam cup.  This is great activity for children to watch over time.  Work together to care for your plant; taking turns watering and providing plenty of sunlight.

Materials:

  • Jack and the Beanstalk Book
  • Beans of Any Kind
  • Styrofoam Cup
  • Soil

Age-appropriate Adaptations:

  • Two-year-olds—As you read the book or listen to a read aloud of Jack and the Beanstalk ask your child to point to different things they see in the story and label them verbally.  Work together as you fill the planter with soil and then add the beans.  Let’s count the beans at we put them in the dirt.
  • Three-year-olds—What different words or letters does your child recognize as you are reading Jack and the Beanstalk?  Once you plant your beans ask your child to draw a picture of what they think they plant will look like when it grows.  As they care for their plant talk about what it looks like what are the similarities and differences to their picture?
  • Four-/Five-year-olds—Allow your child to read along with you or independently as you read the story.  Make a chart to log how you will care for the plant including watering the plant and making sure it has plenty of sunshine.  Plant more than one type of bean or multiple beans in different pots and then compare their different characteristics.

Skills Supported: Scientific experimentation. Fine motor skills through pouring. Literacy and language development. Critical thinking skills.