Environmental awareness is becoming more crucial than ever. Since children are humanity’s future, it is important that we instill in them a deep understanding and respect for nature when they are young. One good way of instilling such values is by teaching children to grow their vegetables, both from traditional soil gardening and from innovative methods such as hydroponics. Such practical experiences can help build in them a sense of responsibility for the environment, help them understand the importance of sustainability, and build long-lasting practices that support eco-friendly living.
Learning Responsibility and Patience through Gardening
Gardening is one practical method of teaching a young child responsibility. Once the child plants the seed, they take up the responsibility to look after it. In this aspect, they study the essentials for maintaining the healthiness of the plant, such as regular watering, exposure to adequate sunlight, and tender loving care toward insects that would destroy it. With the growth of their plants, children experience first-hand the impact of their actions on living things. This would help them be patient and persistent because the plants take time to grow and they require constant attention. These qualities are very important in personal development and care for the environment. To teach cultivation to the children, we organised a field trip to Kok Fah farm where children engage in numerous activities.
Other than conventional farming, children are also being taught about hydroponics, the cultivation of plants without the use of soil. During an excursion to Kok Fah farm, children learn that through hydroponics, plants can thrive in water, receiving nourishment directly into their roots. Not only will this be space-saving, but it also require lesser consumption of water compared to conventional farming. Below are some photos from the trip.
Children pick up useful ways of farming that save resources, especially for countries with minimal land areas like Singapore. Such early understanding in the use of science and technology in working with nature for the benefit of the planet gives them an appreciative understanding of life on Earth. By learning such systems early in life, children gain insight into how modern science and technology work hand in glove with nature to support the planet.
Our Community Garden
With this, there is a community garden nearby the school for extended gardening activities.
They would come and observe the growth of the plants they are raising, ensuring that the water is neither too little nor too much, so that the leaves would be green and healthy. The personal involvement makes them aware of their responsibility towards living things in the world, and their care makes them believe that by doing this, they are contributing to the growth and health of their surroundings. In taking part in the maintenance of the garden, they not only learn the skills of gardening but also know nature more profoundly. Working in a community garden brings lots of people together and actually instills a sense of teamwork in them. The children work together, with each taking up a major role to make sure the plants receive adequate water and care. This experience simply teaches them about shared responsibility and teamwork, which actually is one of the core values of the centre.
Engaging the Community
While children learn the importance of nature and have a deep sense of responsibility towards the environment, we also want the children to learn the importance of having a sense of community. From there, we decided that we would give away a portion of the plants that the children have grown to the people in the neighbourhood.
We had our residents committee member who helped us to organize and disseminate the news to people in the neighborhood. On that day, very excitedly, the children gathered at the first floor, pushing a trolley full of potted vegetables. They then walked around the neighborhood, offering the pots to people who were nearby.
Witnessing the plants being accepted, the children were excited as they had brightened someone’s day. They shared a photo with the neighbor and even gave a hug. Through this act, in simple ways, children comprehend that giving could be as rewarding or, in some cases, even more so than receiving. These are some of the values of kindness and empathy that are essential for the growing minds of these young men and women as they blossom into responsible and concerned citizens of society.
Conclusion
Teaching young children to grow their own vegetables and introducing them to innovative farming techniques such as hydroponics are formidable tools in the fostering of environmental awareness.
These activities teach responsibility and are very important for helping children understand sustainability and connect with nature. Early planting of the seeds of environmental care should probably help bring up a generation that would be not only more considerate of the planet but also adept at protecting and preserving it for times to come. Thus, gardening and hydroponics go beyond mere hobby activities; they are fundamental to lifelong environmental protection.
