Basic Needs
Living things have basic needs. People are living things. We need certain things to
stay alive.
Water is a basic need. We need
it to stay alive.
Toys are not a basic need. We
do not need them to stay alive.
Now you try! Look at the pictures below. Circle the things you need. Write an “X” on what
you do not need.
Shelter
Food
Air
Computer
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Basic Needs
Animals have basic needs.
Sometimes animals need shelter.
A tree is a shelter for the bird.
Now you try! Look at the pictures below. Write the basic need in the picture. HINT: Use the
word AIR, WATER, or FOOD.
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The cow is eating.
The fox is breathing.
The lion is drinking.
It needs
It needs
It needs
to stay alive.
to stay alive.
to stay alive.
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Basic Needs
Plants have basic needs, too.
Plants need air.
Plants need space to grow.
Plants need nutrients. Nutrients are vitamins. Plants
get these vitamins from soil.
Now you try! What else do plants need? Look at the pictures below. Write the basic need
in the picture. HINT: Use the word WATER or SUNLIGHT.
Plants need
Plants need
.
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.
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Basic Needs
Living things have to meet their needs. Look at the bird eggs. What do the eggs need?
The eggs need shelter. A nest is a shelter.
Now you try! Look at the pictures. Write one thing the plant or animal needs. Use the
words: FOOD, AIR, SUNLIGHT, WATER, NUTRIENTS, or SPACE. Use each word one time.
HINT: Each picture can have more than one answer. Just pick one answer.
The plant needs
The bird needs
.
.
The trees need
The squirrel needs
.
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The rabbits need
.
The plants need
.
.
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Basic Needs
connecting with your child
Go Exploring With Your Child
To help your child learn more about the
basic needs of organisms, go on an
exploration in your yard, a park, your
neighborhood, or any other place that will
provide the opportunity to observe a variety
of organisms. While keeping safety in mind,
be creative with the habitat you choose, and
invite your child to make suggestions on
places for your exploration. You might go
several times, exploring different habitats to
find unique organisms each time. Tell your
child that you’re searching for the strangest
organisms you can find. Before you go
on the exploration, let your child help you
brainstorm the types of organisms you might
see, such as cats, dogs, squirrels, ladybugs,
caterpillars, spiders, fish, frogs, and worms.
Don’t forget to include plants like flowers,
bushes, and trees.
Here are some questions to discuss with
your child:
1.What are organisms? Are you an
organism?
2.Why do animals need to eat and
drink?
3.Where do plants get their food?
4.What are some examples of when
an animal might need shelter? Be
specific about the animal and the
situation.
During your exploration, have your child
write down or draw a picture of certain
organisms that you observe. Then ask
your child to name the things the organism
needs to live. Ask your child questions such
as, “Where do bugs find their food? What
do plants need to make their food? What
do bugs and plants need to ‘drink’? Do
any of them have shelters?” If your child
doesn’t know, you can take this opportunity
to explain some of the organisms’ basic
needs or conduct Internet research together
when you return home. However, don’t
get too caught up in the verbal aspects of
this activity; the physical exploration and
observation will delight and fascinate your
young one.
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