You need water, food and air every day. So do all animals. Plants need some of the same things, but they are different in one big way.
Key idea
All living things need water. Animals need food and air. Plants need light, water and air, and they make their own food.
Why it works
Animals cannot make food, so they must eat plants or other animals. Plants catch sunlight with their green leaves and use it to make food from air and water.
Worked example: Let's think it through
Does a rabbit need to eat?
- A rabbit is an animal.
- Animals cannot make their own food.
- A rabbit eats grass and other plants.
Answer: Yes. A rabbit needs food, water and air.
Common mistake
Many children think plants eat soil, or that we must feed them like pets. Plants need water and light from us, and they make their own food in their leaves.
For the grown-up. Living things also need space to live and grow. A crowded fish bowl or a pot packed with seedlings is a good example to talk about.