Have you ever thought about plants as teachers? Well , I did and here are my thoughts!
They model patience, growth, and interconnection every day; they are quietly guiding children to notice, care, and wonder. When we slow down and learn with them, our teaching shifts from managing nature to co-existing with it.
What can we do with plants?
1. Observe and Listen
- Talk with children about plant species indoors and outdoors. How are they used by First Nations? Talk about the sensual appeal of some plans.
- Discuss how plants grow, change, and respond to light and weather.
- Keep a daily or weekly “plant diary” with drawings and photos.
2. Care and Connect
- Invite children to water, prune, and touch leaves gently.
- Use compost bins or worm farms to see how waste becomes new soil.
- Notice the smell, texture, and colour of different plants.
3. Rewild and Respect
- Leave small outdoor areas to grow naturally.
- Watch how insects, bees, and birds interact with “weeds.”
- Talk about how plants and animals depend on each other.
4. Grow and Experiment
- Plant quick crops like radish, lettuce, and alfalfa.
- Grow herbs, vegetables, and sensory plants.
- Compare deciduous and evergreen trees.
- Explore mosses and lichens that like shade.
5. Collect and Create
- Curate a seed-pod collection from local parks.
- Make art or loose-parts play with leaves and pods.
- Save seeds from fruit eaten at mealtimes.
