Re: RE: Encouraging Children

Ginny

Why bite your tongue?

I think what you are doing is lovely.

Colleen

> Have been biting my tongue over this thread but now  must jump in.
>
> For 5 years have lived in the inner city, on a street gradually changing
> from slum/boarding/crack houses to family housing.
>
> Have only garden - no grass. Children have talked to me ever since I moved
> here.  I've given them flowers to take home, showed them different things,
>  had 4 or 5 of them growing veggies/flowers in my veggie garden.
>
> Last year started gardening with them in a spare lot as too many children
> in my back yard.  Of course /composting/reading/vocab/lots of family
> problem-solving/snacks/often breakfasts in summer are involved as well.
>
> Had 7 kiddos last summer with their own plots, decorated with rocks/signs,
> bits and pieces. By the end of the summer had 11 kids, with transplanted
> flowers, veggies that were planted far too late etc etc.
>
> It is a transient population here so wonder how many kids will return this
> spring.
>
> Made a 4 x 8 ft sign which kids painted and call it The Guerrilla Garden.
> We made a treehouse about one ft. off the ground for toddlers the older
> children often look after,also a fire pit for hotdogs/marshmallows/roasted
> potatoes.
>
> Had one instance of vandalism in my front garden - a mental patient  we
> discovered.
>
> This has been a two-way street.  The mothers come around and have taught
> me about native herbs, sweet grass.
>
> So.... talk to the children, show them things in your garden. Maybe you
> have some space where they can plant a thing or two.  Show them a
> particular whatever nd ask them if they want that plant, their own plant
> to look after. Show them where they can stand without stepping on precious
> things.  I have one kiddo who helped me plant a clematis on my fence.  He
> feels it is his plant. Kindness, time spent with kiddos works wonders.
>
> BUT--  no youth members in either iris or lily societies here.
>
>
>
> Amen
> Ginny
>
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