Care for living things in the environment

Plants need several things to grow well:

• Water – Plants absorb water from the soil through their roots. Water helps plants make food and stay fresh.
• Light – Plants use sunlight to make their own food through a process called photosynthesis.
• Air – Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
• Nutrients – Plants get nutrients from the soil to help them grow strong.

Ways to care for plants:

• Water plants regularly, especially during dry seasons
• Remove weeds that take nutrients from the soil
• Protect plants from pests and diseases
• Plant new seeds to replace dead plants

Animals also need care to stay healthy:

• Food – Animals need proper food to eat every day
• Water – Clean water should always be available
• Air – Animals need fresh air to breathe
• Shelter – Animals need a safe place to live and rest

Ways to care for animals:

• Feed animals the right kind of food
• Give animals clean water every day
• Keep animal houses clean and safe
• Take sick animals to a veterinarian

Here is a simple activity you can do to learn about caring for living things:

What you need:

• A small pot or container
• Soil
• A种子 (seed) – like a bean seed or maize seed

What to do:

1. Fill the pot with soil
2. Plant the seed about 2 centimeters deep
3. Water the soil lightly
4. Place the pot in a sunny place
5. Water the plant every day
6. Watch the plant grow over several weeks

What you will observe:

• The seed will germinate and become a seedling
• With proper care (water, light, and air), the plant will grow taller
• The leaves will become greener and larger

This shows that when we care for living things properly, they survive, grow, and develop well.

Caring for living things means providing them with their basic needs:

When we take care of living things, they stay healthy and can continue to grow and reproduce. This is why it is important for us to protect and care for plants and animals in our environment.

In Tanzania, many families keep gardens with vegetables like mboga (spinach), tomatoes, and carrots, or raise chickens and goats. By watering the vegetables every morning and feeding the animals twice a day, families ensure their plants and animals grow healthy. Healthy plants provide food for the family, and healthy chickens lay eggs that can be sold at the market for income, helping the family with everyday needs.