Growth and nutrition

All living things grow – but they need food to do it.

Everything grows

Growth is a life process. A baby grows into a child and then an adult. A seed grows into a plant, and a chick grows into a hen.

These stages make a life cycle. When the adult has young, the cycle starts again.

Animals need food

Animals cannot make their own food. They must eat plants or other animals. Food gives them energy and nutrients to grow. Getting food is called nutrition.

Some animals eat only plants, like cows and goats. Some eat only other animals, like tigers. Some eat both, like humans and crows.

Plants make their food

Plants make their own food in their leaves. They use light, water and air. They also take in nutrients from the soil through their roots.

Farmers add manure or fertiliser to soil to give crops more nutrients, so they grow bigger.

Measuring growth

We can measure growth with a ruler or tape measure. Doctors measure babies’ height and mass to check they are healthy. You will keep growing until you are about 18 to 20 years old.

What I learnt

I know that all living things grow.
I know that animals eat food and plants make food.
I can measure and record growth.