Growing Vegetables “Mud into Carrots” (Ages 3-8)
“I see it, I see it!” my children screamed while bending over the planter full of dirt. In unison, the rest of us bent over and squinted. They were right; a speck of green on a background of brown, the first indication that the carrots were—or at least one carrot was—growing. Predictably, their next words were, “Can we eat it now?” The answer, of course, disappointed them.
Despite their skepticism when I told them if they planted seeds in fertilized dirt and watered them they would grow into carrots, the children dutifully watered them every day for two weeks. Consequently, they were rewarded with a microscopic green speck and eventually a completed specimen.
To my children I’m a prophet, and they are magicians! Well we must be, they surmise, to turn mud into carrots, by pouring water onto dirt. Don’t underestimate the power of such a seemingly insignificant activity. It contains the nourishment and some of life’s fundamental lessons for children, such as the following:
• INFLUENCE: They recognize they are not completely passive beings; that they have the capacity to affect the world around them.
• SELF-ESTEEM: They have the opportunity to accomplish a task that appears difficult to them, thereby building their confidence to undertake future challenges.
• RESPONSIBILITY: They learn that their actions have consequences, positive or negative, and they can be held accountable for them.
• RETURN ON INVESTMENT: They learn there is a relationship between the time and effort put into a task, and the success that is realized.
• NATURE: They begin an introduction to the ecosystem, the complexity of nature, and the interrelationship of all living organisms.
Rex Bowlby is the father of two boys. He is the author of the book, Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways to Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least from Your Wallet*) *For parents with children ages 3-8. He lives in Los Angeles, California, USA.