One day a child asked me, 'Why are there no flowers on the trees?' The question prompted me to look into ways of showing the children how to grow flowers indoors during the gloomy winter months so that they could discover the answer to this question for themselves.
I thought about how gardening could offer a range of learning opportunities by promoting a child's curiosity and developing their observational skills while they were having fun during hands-on indoor activities with natural materials.
As a whole group we talked about our own gardens and discovered that some children are involved in the upkeep of an allotment at home. This led to the suggestion of growing our own vegetables. We talked about which vegetables were our favourites, and I purchased the appropriate seeds.
We will now attempt to grow radishes, carrots, tomatoes and peas, to name but a few. We also thought it would be a great idea to include the families in this project.
POSSIBLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Show care and concern for others, for living things and the environment
Make connections between different parts of their lives
Use talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and anticipate what might happen next
Show an interest in the world in which they live
Comment and ask questions about where they live and the natural world
RESOURCES
Various seeds (that don't require too much care), compost, flower pots in a variety of sizes, garden tools, watering cans, large tubs
STEP BY STEP
- - We talked about things that grow in our own gardens or allotments and brought in photos.
- - We chose which vegetables to grow following a discussion about our favourite things to eat.
- - The children planted the seeds, watered them daily and checked to see if any shoots had grown.
- - Everyone became excited when the first shoots came through and we realised our hard work was beginning to pay off.
- - We created a shed/garden centre from a disused display shelf, so that the children could explore their plants easily in a realistic environment.
- - Whenever our shoots became too long we replanted them to ensure they grew to their full potential.
- - We grew grass heads which became little personalities within the group. The children loved the fact that they looked like faces.
- - We explored the roots of a plant (the collective observation was that roots are hairy). We carried out experiments using flowers and celery stalks to illustrate how a flower drinks water.
- - We involve parents, informing them on every stage of our planting process, revealing our future plans and sharing our results.
- - We talk daily about the vegetables to come and continue to be excited about eating our rewards.
This venture has allowed us to study plants and how they can grow, from a tiny seed into something that can be eaten. Gardening with children helps us to appreciate our place in nature as well as helping to conserve the world around us. The most enjoyable part is anticipating and predicting what will actually grow. There is something rewarding and satisfying about being independent and self-sufficient.
To extend this interest, and provide more learning opportunities, we are looking forward to the warmer weather when we can plant our vegetables outdoors and care for them on a much greater scale.
LAST WORD
The child who originally posed the question about the lack of flowers on the trees is now confident that these flowers will appear in spring, because he understands the reasons why!
Kathy Swinburne is a nursery practitioner in the Honey Room at Busy Bears Children's Day Nursery, Bearpark, County Durham. She shared these observations and photographs with Jean Evans.
