Several weeks ago Bella and Tess brought home from church planted seeds in a plastic cup. Tess was especially thrilled to watch the seed turn into a plant telling me "if the seed grows so does my faith". I was hoping she understood the metaphor because to tell you the truth I am not good with plants and I was very skeptical that we would actually see anything green. Actually I think we've done this before and it has never worked.After we watered them and made sure to put them in the best window possible, I have to admit, I totally forgot about them...good thing Tess did not. Apparently she would look at them everyday until she saw something green. At that point she came and showed me and was thrilled it was growing (I was too). The plants were so dry I couldn't imagine how they were still alive let alone growing. At that point we watered them and from that day on we have kept a close watch. It has become part of our morning routine to check in on the plants. I just loved watching them get excited with how big they were getting. I could tell they saw it as an accomplishment...such an easy way to instill confidence.
Several times while we were caring for the plants I reminded them that the seed started so very small and since we took care of it they have been able to grow into plants...the more we care for them the bigger they'll get. I reminded them of what they learned in primary about our faith and how it can grow if we take care of it by learning about Jesus, reading our scriptures as a family, and being kind to others. I know Bella was getting it and hopefully Tess was too. I am grateful for these simple ways to teach our children and even more grateful for the leaders who care enough to help us parents who aren't so creative.
Do you have a fun creative way to teach your children about values/standards that are important to your family?
17 comments:
Seeing your beautiful plants makes me sad I didn't do the same with ours. My kids dumped the dirt out and "ruined" their seeds. I am glad Tess remembered and now look they have something they can say is their very own.
A couple weeks ago for our quarterly Primary Activity we had 5 workshops & I gave a 'class' on planting a seed of faith. Everyone (100) went home with a planted seed. I just hope they sprout! Years ago my son received one in his primary class, and it grew like jack and the bean stalk- over night!! it was out of control & fun for him.cute pix :) ciao
how awesome that tess has been so into it! and that your plant is growing. it sounds like it's something they will remember. you're a great mom to help then "nurture their planted seeds."
More cute photos Amy! I love this metaphor and thinks it's so cool when kids get to do a hands-on lesson like this. I might do this sort of thing the next time I do the FHE lesson.
The everyday moments we teach the kids are the sweetest and I feel like they are the most effective. I just have to remember to keep my eyes and ears open for those moments!
Very cute photos of the girls and the plants. I want Bella's dress in my size, it is adorable!!
I love how you recognized that this little "gardening" exercise could be such a simple way to "instill confidence". How old are Bella and Tess?
I'm a new reader on your blog and so you've probably posted about this before, but I was wondering what kind of camera you use. I know your pictures are 99% talent and 1% equipment, but I am curious. They are beautiful.
The pictures are adorable, of course, but so are the smiles on their faces. I love this simple story too. Austin had to share the scripture this month (Alma 32:21) so we got to explain what it meant. I think it's a metaphor they can really understand.
On a related note, one of the counselors in Primary did the cutest Sharing Time last week. She made a "faith oven" and had them put all the "ingredients" in the bowl first- prayer, scripture reading, love for family, etc. Then at the end. they put the paper cookies in the oven and she ended up having real cookies come out the other side. I thought it was great. The kids loved it.
Great photos, again!
Our ward did the same activity - sending the seeds home in a tiny plastic baggie with a wet cotton ball. Ours are in a pot in the kitchen now!
I love these pictures. You can see their excitement about their growing plants. These are definitely the things kids remember and make those abstract concepts like faith so much more tangible.
What a wonderful way to explain faith to children. I can only imagine their anticipation.
our primary did this same activity and 2 of my kids didn't get home with their cups and the other 2 killed their seed just after it spouted by leaving it dry in a freezing window...
Luckily the counselor who brought the seeds is a gardener and brings hers each week to show the kids the idea!
I love any lesson that has an object lesson attached to it. So much easier for the children to absorb that particular concept. LOVE the faith/seed project. Always a winner! I have a few - I will email you so I don't post a novel on your comments!
What an inspiring post, all of yours are in fact. We teach our children through music a lot. We are always singing a Primary song, or reading from the "picture" scriptures. My little boy adores it, and I love to see him so happy!
We did this activity for the kids in Sunbeams and it was fun for Alexis to watch the plant grow, althought I'm not sure she got the metaphor. I wonder what ever happened to that plant?
Great idea. I can't wait until Kaitlin's a little older so i can do things like that with her. Of course, I'm not sure I'd be as mindful of what I should say as you are. Thanks for sharing your experience.
My daughter brought home the same thing from primary a few weeks ago. I love watching her face light up when she sees it has grown more.
Beautiful thoughts and photos. We did this once with less success, so I'm so happy that it's working for them!
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