BENEFITS OF PLANTS

Posted on January 28, 2020

5 Benefits of Having Plants in the Classroom

There are SO MANY benefits of growing plants in your room. We’ve tried to pick out the most important ones to show you just how great they are for you, your students, and their learning!

There are hundreds of different plants you might choose for your classroom, so check that they are all appropriate for indoor living, allergy-friendly, and won’t be releasing any potential nasty toxins.

#1 Plants Freshen the Air

Did you know that plants help remove pollutants from the air by absorbing them into their roots and leaves?

Or that plants use photosynthesis to absorb carbon dioxide and light energy through their pores? This helps to counter CO2 in the air by releasing oxygen, which can help improve brain productivity.

Depending on which plants you select, you can be doing your classroom environment a great service by putting just a few big leafy plants in the corner. You can even increase or decrease the humidity in your classroom! This can help children with breathing problems, and improve overall air quality.

#2 Plants Improve Students’ Mental Wellbeing

It’s no secret that plants can add a touch of freshness and vibrancy to any dull windowsill! This aesthetic appeal helps students and teachers alike feel more happy in the classroom. Introducing plants can turn an otherwise stuffy classroom into a thriving environment which your students will be drawn to.

In fact, there’s a scientific term for this!

Biophilia: A love of life and the living world; the affinity of human beings for other life forms.

In layman’s terms, this means that human beings are subconsciously drawn towards nature. It’s in our DNA!

Studies have also shown that classrooms that contain plants can contribute to the psychological wellbeing and development of children. It has even been proven that plants in the classroom reduce:

student anxiety

sickness

absenteeism.

All this from a humble little plant.

#3 Plants Raise Environmental Consciousness

We are all about environmental awareness at Teach Starter! So we think this is one of the best reasons to have plants in your classroom!

Help your students see how much time and care needs to be taken to help plants thrive.

It’s easy for students to walk down the street and just let plants pass them by. A tree is just a tree until you develop a greater awareness of nature.

When students are able to see the effort and care needed to grow plants, they develop a sense of ownership for these living beings. Developing awareness of how precious nature is can help them become connected to their environment outside of the classroom.

This, in turn, will help develop a love for the environment which will benefit the Earth for years to come!

#4 Plants Make Great Lesson Subjects

This one’s a no-brainer!

Having plants to study first hand is the best way to teach students about living things and plant biology. Using living specimens can help students study plant growth over time, as well as see the changes different variables can have on plant survival.

#5 Plants Encourage Responsibility

Having plants in the classroom can be a lot of effort if the teacher is solely responsible for their care.

Encourage your students to be responsible for caring for the plants in the classroom! Educate your children on how the particular plants you have should be cared for, and what they can do to help them thrive.