Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn about what it means to be alive. It might sound simple, but it’s actually pretty interesting. There are living things all around us, like birds and trees, and things that aren’t alive, like rocks and computers. But how do we tell the difference?
Scientists who study living things are called biologists. They’ve figured out some rules that help us know if something is alive. Let’s check them out!
All living things need energy to do things. You need energy to play and learn, while plants need energy to grow new leaves. Even tiny germs use energy! Living things get energy in different ways, but they all need it to stay alive.
Living things grow and change over time. You’re bigger now than when you were a baby, and you’ll keep growing. Trees grow by adding branches and leaves. All living things change as they grow.
Reproduce means to make more of something. Living things reproduce to make more of themselves. Animals have babies, like kittens and puppies, and plants make seeds that grow into new plants.
Living things react to changes around them. If you get cold, you might shiver or put on a coat. Trees lose their leaves in autumn when it gets cooler. These are ways living things respond to their environment.
What about leaves that have fallen from a tree? Even though they’re on the ground, they were once part of a living tree. So, biologists still consider them living things.
You might think that moving is a sign of life, but not all living things move. Plants don’t walk around, but they’re still alive. And some things that move, like shadows or watch hands, aren’t alive because they don’t follow all the rules.
Let’s play a game! I’ll name something, and you decide if it’s alive or not.
First, is an earthworm living or not living? If you said ‘living,’ you’re right! Earthworms need energy, grow, reproduce, and respond to their environment.
Next, is a cloud living or not living? If you said ‘not living,’ you’re correct! Clouds don’t use energy or reproduce, so they’re not alive.
Finally, what about a stick? If you said ‘living,’ you’re right! A stick was once part of a living tree, so it’s considered living.
Now that you know the rules, you can explore the world around you. Go outside and think about what you see. Are icicles, acorns, pebbles, and grass alive or not? Use the rules to find out!
Thanks for learning with us on SciShow Kids. If you have questions, ask a grownup to help you leave a comment or send an email to [email protected]. See you next time!
Energy Hunt: Go on a mini adventure in your home or garden to find things that need energy. Look for a pet, a plant, or even yourself! Think about how each one gets its energy. Does your pet eat food? Does the plant need sunlight? Draw a picture of each living thing and show how it gets its energy.
Growth and Change Diary: Choose a plant or a small animal like a caterpillar to observe over a week. Each day, draw a picture of what you see. Write down any changes you notice. Did the plant grow taller? Did the caterpillar change into a butterfly? Share your diary with a friend or family member and talk about the changes you observed.
Living or Not Living Game: With a friend or family member, take turns naming things you see around you. Decide together if each thing is living or not living using the rules you learned. For example, is a car living? What about a bird? Explain why you think each one is living or not. This game can be played indoors or outdoors!
