Age: 3.5 years old
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills
2. To inculcate life skills
3. Teaching the Science of pruning flowers
Materials:
1. 1 pair of scissors
2. 1 pot of flowers ready to be pruned
3. 1 container to contain the waste
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by cutting the withered flowers with the scissors slowly one by one.
2. Explain to your child that most plants benefit from some sort of regular pruning and maintenance. The flowers will start setting new buds as soon as the old buds have fallen.
3. Encourage your child to try.
Additional Information:
The sun was shining this morning. We were off from work. What a joy in life it is to be able to spend time with your child and your the other half! I didn't discover this joy, until we decided to have a child, and we have never regretted ever since! It is far better than buying expensive handbag, branded goods, going to expensive restaurants, etc. I would not exchange it for other so-called more sophisticated pleasures in life. The only thing is... this would not last, as we will not live forever on this earth. J is fast growing up, and we are fast growing old... In the midst of joy, I have been reminded about the transience of life... and my melancholy reflective mood took over. Shutting off that thought, let me be reminded to count our blessings, our health that allows us to enjoy the simple joy in life, and be thankful.
This pruning idea was Daddy FECSs'. We needed to prune the Margarethe flowers that we bought. And Daddy FECS thought why not turn it into a Montessori's activity!
I didn't get to do this when I was a child in Singapore, as it is such a academic chase life there! I am torn, between the culture I come from and the childhood that I would like J to have. I pray for God's wisdom to strike a good balance, and avoid the tendency of becoming a "Tiger Mom".
J (3Y2M12D) did very well. There were mishaps though - he cut two nice flowers! Well, he gave them to mommy instead :-)
References:
http://gardening.about.com/od/pruningplants/a/Pruning_FAQ.htm
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| Look of the flowers after pruning by Joshua :-) |
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| Close-up |
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| Two mishaps cut by Joshua, given to me :-) |
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