Growing plants teaches kids about sowing and reaping!

It all started with this...

Awhile ago, I heard Ice crying unconsolably when he found out that his Okra Plant was chopped off by our maid. She decided to cut it off because the plant tipped off because there were so many Okras already that it couldn't carry the weight.  I got irritated at her because she didn't ask my son that she'd chop it off.  Well, she doesn't know my son so well so I just let this slip for now.  I saw how much my son owned and loved his tiny farm that it didn't bother him one bit even if the same Okra plant scarred his fingers from its tiny almost invisible thorns just the other day.  Chopping it off was not his plan to get even - he just love those plants unconditionally.

At 4, my son started planting when he got some Red Bell Pepper seeds he found while I was cooking.  He started asking about how it grows, etc. etc.  He started to plant them in our tiny garden and miraculously, w/o much of our effort or actually expecting it to grow - it did! Ice named that plant "stingy".  I don't know why, perhaps it was because it was pointy and it looked like a stingy little face.

This started his love to grow plants.  When the twins were born, and I needed a huge amount of Malunggay (Moringa) for breastfeeding the twins, Ice and her nanny planted 2 feet high, leafless, malunggay bark.  I didn't expect it to grow really... but with Ice - it did, again!

Then his little farm started to grow Melons, Kangkong, Okras, even Tomatoes (tricky fruit) and Papayas (which I asked to chop down since I dreaded to imagine since it was so high, the fruit might fall on his head).

Okra's for you! Look at those proud smiles!

Every morning, after waking up from his bed, he'd go to his plants, water them, talk to them or just stare at them.  When he wouldn't be able to water them, he would remind his nanny to water them in the afternoon.

What is more exciting is that, with his patience and love for his plants... he has harvested several fruits and veggies that form part of some of our food.  The best part it was organically grown, no chemicals but pure 100% love and dedication froma 6 year old.

What I saw in my son, is that he has grown to love nature. He has found ways to let off a boring day by watching his plants grow.  He learns the idea of waiting patiently.  He also has learned the idea of delayed gratification through seeing his plants grow from tiny flowers then buds to become fruits which he can later on enjoy (He loves the Melons he harvested).  He has also learned the idea of seed, time and harvest. As well as the basic principles of sowing and reaping.

It was so easy to fill in the Word when your child sees that what he takes care of - grows and what you don't - dies.

Meet Stingy's little sprout - Stingy Jr.

Even with the bigger concept of this, his dad showed him the farm that his grandfather has in the province.  The rice field and another unused farm that used to be his great grandfather's farm.  Ice told his dad "Dad, why don't we make this land useful? Let's grow plants here so that we wouldn't need to buy food and spend money in buying and buying food.  Food is expensive, you know!"

Planting is a good tool to speak to a child's heart.  Besides, unlike pets that needs so much attention, plants are just standing there waiting for some simple 5-10 minutes of TLC and that is it.  Some simple fruit bearing plant (in a pot, would do) is a good starting point.  Watch how excited they'll be when they see tiny fruits growing, even some tiny worms around it will help you inject some ideas that worms are not gross - that every living creature is important and has a specific role to play even how hideous they seem to look in our eyes.

Ice understands the value of work.  That money doesn't just grow on trees! But, it comes from hardwork.  The same way he does when he would take care of his plants and watch them grow.  My son got a deeper concept of this that he wanted to (and has begun) growing his own farm business (and new ideas with it).  Presently, he has sold Malunggay from neighbors.

But, most importantly... he has learned that everything he touches is blessed because of Jesus.  I am actually amazed how he grows this w/o even spending so much time and effort (but with believing and dedication to the joy of work) -  I believe that is grace and favor on my little farmer boy.