Do you realize that the weather is getting more and more extreme around us? In Malaysia, it is getting hotter every day. The weather of the world is changing fast due to global warming. Can we do anything to help and how can we start? Yes, we definitely can do something for the Mother Earth! If everyone of us do a little bit by recycling and save water/energy at home or anywhere we go, we are creating a better environment for our future generation. We all are responsible and we are determined to make a difference from this moment onwards.
For a good start, we need to begin with ourselves so that we can be good role models for our children. Lets cultivate love towards plants among our children today! Planting is a fun, it helps to :
- nurture patience and responsibility among children in the process of planting and taking care of the plant.
- nurture the sense of care and love towards the environment.
- nurture understanding on the interactions of the environment to the growth of a plant, e.g. a plant needs sunlight and water to grow.
- teach children naming of parts of plants and their functions.
What are the materials that we need for our planting project?
- a plastic container
- soil
- spoon
- small jug or watering can
- small onions with little leaves on top
- a straw or chopstick
- a small cardboard
- glue
Put the spoon beside the plastic container. Ask the child to put soil into the container with the spoon. Transferring soil with spoon is also an activity to reinforce a child’s fine motor skills.
Use the spoon to dig small hole in the soil. Then put the onion into the hole. Cover the side of the onions with soil again. Do not cover the whole onions with soil. The top of the onions should be exposed to the air. You may repeat this step and put few more onions.
Water the onions using a small jug or watering can. Do not put too much water till the whole container is flooded with water.
Make a “My Plant” sign. Cut a small piece of cardboard. You can ask your child to write “My Plant” on top and then write his/her name below it. Stick the card on a straw or chopstick. Ask your child to stick the sign in the container.
It’s done! This is my onion plant! Help your child to put the container under a shady area and remind your child to water the plant every day. Spend time every day together to see the growth of the plant. Choose any botany related topic to talk about every day. Show the different part of the plant and explain the functions of each part.
This is my plant on the fourth day! Can you spot the difference? The leaves are growing taller and the roots are growing more and longer. Enjoy the activity!
