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Re: Children lectures

In a message dated 5/14/2004 10:30:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time, SheriAnnRicherson@exoticgardening.com writes:
Hello. I have been asked to design a series of lectures for children. We are talking all age groups here from very young to teenagers. Does anyone on the list have some suggestions? The programs will be held inside.
Sherri
I have had similar experiences on the domestic scene with kids - no interest, or plant the seed and spray each other with the water.  I suspect that gardening with kids authors do not have kids of their own but rent them!
 
On a more serious note, I have done talks to children in group settings - as in schools or cub-scouts etc.  and keep in mind that most of these were herb orientated. Some things to keep in mind:
 
Younger kids loose interest very quickly and just talking is not going to cut it with them.  Use some touch/feel/digging/planting type demonstrations that they do themselves - ie plant a sunflower seed in a cup.
 
Slightly older kids (4th grade???+) try smelling and feeling exercises that involve funny named or smellng things - chocolate mint, pineapple sage etc.  Giving uses for some of the plants in the past may also work (ie southernwood leaves a dark stain, and used to be used by young men to make them look as though they had  beard) - also known as Lad's Love or Lady's ruin - depending on whether you were the he or the she, perhaps!.
Making a picture with the some leaves on a piece of paper and thenpressing the image until dry (ie under phone book at home) can also work.
 
Going up the chain - relating plants to uses - with demonstrations - or hands on - paper making (great with left over computer paper and rose petals etc), dying fabric,with plants, casting soups.
 
If you tell them how to put in a pizza garden, make sure that you have the plants for them to use - their parents may or maynot get round to purchasing them.
You don't mention the venue - if in schools you can actually plant gardens, if the talk is at the local library you cannot.
 
Just some thoughts
Katy
 
 
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