Kids’s first planting experience
November 24, 2014 By: Amruta Kshemkalyani

Recently Dubai is voted as the best place in the world to work and live in. Many ex-pats like me would agree instantly. Winter in Dubai is already started and I could see many happy faces wherever I go.

Many interesting events are organized in Dubai for families and kids year-round. Last weekend we visited Creek park and their world children’s day celebration was taking place. There were exhibitions, kid’s activities, and some competitions. It was a cozy family show. Many families were picnicking around the show. My son loved some activities and ran all around in the park.

But I would share one specific activity I did along with Ruhaan. We planted a marigold plant and it was his first experience of planting and gardening! ‘Volunteer in UAE’ had devoted a special station for kids where they could plant a flowering plant and the fees collected proceed to a girl patient’s heart treatment. It was a very remarkable initiative by them. By doing this they were not just helping that girl but they were giving kids an educational and fun experience of the plantation.

There were kids gardening set along with soil, water, and packets of seeds. Kids were pouring soil in a pot, then seeds, then soil again, and finally water. The lovely volunteers were helping kids in a very friendly way. Such a simple, pleasurable activity. After taking the planting pot home kids are going to water it and in few days they could see the growing plant and soon the flowers will grow too.

This experience is so easy and yet it’s very basic and necessary for our kids to know. It can teach them based on their age; the concept of birth, how trees grow, where food comes from, the life cycle of seeds-plant-flower and seeds again, how to take care of their plant, and how to be responsible towards nature.After the seeds are planted in a tiny container, the volunteers were writing the kid’s name on the pot and drawing cute things. After the volunteer asked him what should draw, Ruhaan said ‘Bus’ :).

Ruhaan is too young to teach him all the sustainability-related things that I want to tell him. I have definitely opted for child-led learning to hone his curiosity.

However, I can see the joy on his face when he waters the plant every day. He has a sense of responsibility toward’s this plant, as we call it ‘Ruhaan’s baby plant’. We even celebrated the sprouting of the seeds. I can’t wait to show him how the plant will grow and flowers will bloom.
But this activity made me decide to give this experience to Ruhaan again and again as he grows.
I personally congratulate amazing Volunteers in UAE, Lola Lopez, and their idea of planting experience for kids. Hope the girl child gets well soon and let’s all pray for her good health.