Children love helping especially when it comes to food. If you listen to Raising Playful Tots show #35 Memetales, I share some recent experiences of fruit picking with the kids.
At this time of year there are a lot of fruit and vegetables in season. Traditionally, it’s the time to celebrate the Harvest.
Having lived and grown up in a farming area, this time of year is a busy one. The combine harvesters are out ploughing the oilseed rape, the onion, the sugar beet, the little midges, the manure fertilizer. But my biggest memories around school is the Harvest festival. Each child brought in some can gifts. They were all set out like a large supermarket during assembly. I loved to see all the different types of food, ones I didn’t usually see or ones I had never known. Someone would always bring in the bread made into a plait and one in a sheaf. It was amazing to me that bread could come like that.
If you were in the top classes, or the oldest children in the school you got to gather with the help of a senior teacher the cans and produce into baskets and boxes. There were always bunches of carrots with the stock, fresh garden produce from many gardens. It was a physical reminder of how blessed we were. I think as kids seeing so much food and knowing we all had a hand in it really made giving tangible to us.
Those baskets were taken to select people in need. Thinking about it, they had to be people who would accept enthusiastic 4-5 year olds bounding in their space. As no matter how we were told or knew how to behave seeing my 4-year-old I can imagine how much we took up their space! The mere act of going to another person’s house or group home when you’re so young was too exciting. We’d then get thank you cards, usually handwritten that our teachers would read out and we’d feel warm inside about helping.
I still remember harvest festival time and the hymns we’d sing of thankfulness for the bountiful harvest.
I guess the feeling was gratitude.
When you work on the land or work for your food you feel a little different about it.
Whether it’s starting a vegetable garden or picking your own fruits this is the perfect time of year to plan to include the children. It’s an easy time to express gratitude for what the earth has given us.
The boys had an opportunity to shell peas. Something I had done on occasion when I was younger. I remember siting with my mother, talking and shelling. We had good conversation. When Grandma came in with fresh peas from the market they were really hesitant to join in. They didn’t know about peas, distrusted the process and frankly were more interested in their Lego creations at the time. But Grandma stayed and shelled peas. They wandered over and asked what she was doing and kept coming back with more questions. Soon they were sitting down and trying it themselves. Guess what they ate for dinner that night?
I was able to thank them, oh and Grandma, for the lovely peas. When that rogue pea fell of their plate, as they do, they scooped that little one back on. They didn’t want to lose it. This is in stark contrast with other mealtimes where food is left, abandoned or dropped without a moments thought.
They were grateful, perhaps. Curious? Their fingers ‘hurt’ from stripping and popping peas. In other words, manual work was hard.
How are you sharing opportunities for gratitude and sharing with your young children?
Are there special traditions or memories you have about this time of year?
Age old game of……..you can’t get me!
We took a trip to the beach. After the blue seas of recent holidays they were both shocked to see that sea comes in different shades . They were also very impressed with how powerful the wave could be. Cue us watching some teenagers in the water getting knocked over. It was like watching TV. Everyone was having a great time.
Here the boys were trying to beat the waves. Of course every fifth wave or so was bigger. They ran after the retreating wave and up the beach when the next one breaks without getting wet.
Lasted 10 minutes and they got blasted!
But before that we had lots of play. We still played afterwards with a soggy leg and celebrated with ice cream. Nothing beats playing outdoors or the beach.
This post is part of We play and Play Academy
“Don’t touch that!”
“It’s hot!”
“Mine!”We’re all familiar with these phrases as they relate to toddler behavior. Toddlers are naturally curious to touch and examine objects.
They don’t have any of the skills yet to hold back and decide whether it’s the right or safe thing to do. They just reach out and act.
There will be plenty of times when our little ones will hear variations of “Don’t touch!” But we can also encourage their curiosity and imagination by giving them opportunities to experience new things with our support.
Going on………………… to read more about my monthly toddler post , visit Steady Mom
Pretend play is always a big hit with children. Look no further than your kitchen for inspiration! Most everyone has a wooden spoon, but if not? Improvise! Wooden Spoon Puppets……. to read more about my monthly kids craft post, visit Blissfully Domestic
We had our first totally family holiday with Grandparents and inlaws. We all went to Jamaica. My parents were both born there and as a child I have been there quite a few times. However I’ve not been back as an adult.
This was the perfect opportunity for my parents to share stories of their childhood, including games and adventures, let’s put it that way, that they used to do many years ago. All the adults there were fascinated but the grandchildren loved them even more. Stories and experiences just tumbled out wherever we went.
This video is one of these stories and memories we’ll all forever hold dear.
Dad was walking around with the LO in the Villa’s grounds showing him plants and walking him up and down the little hill. ( Something about boys and hills) He stumbled across this plant and came rushing back to tell us all.
I’ve not seen something like this before and neither had the kids. My parents knew it as the 10 o clock plant or “Shamy lady”. After a bit of searching I found that it is also called Shame old lady.
Watch the video below to see what happens.
Shame Old Lady from M Avila on Vimeo.
Stories and history are important for young children. Here we had three generations doing the same thing; gathering around and playing with a native plant with the same glee. I can see how it could keep you amused for quite some time. It was a big attraction and highlight of our holiday. Who knew a plant could do this?
Another story
Hope you’re having a great summer and remember to tell your stories…………
Do you have any interesting experiences to share about your summer?
This post is part of Tara of Sticky finger’s The Gallery and Wordful Wednesday.
Subscribe by RSS
