Get the Grey Matter Working

[hazelize_uk]

Anyone who takes ther kids/grand children along as little labourers can help with their numeracy skills too :) i make little sums up like we have a row of 5m and the potatoes need to be 30cm apart how many do you think we need?? my 11 year old daughter loves to calculate it down to the cm and my 9 year old son is happy to use his estimation skills :D mind you they probably think mums to thick to work it out for herself but hey ho!  even working out how many plants fit in cell trays has really helped with their times tables :D

[hazelize_uk]

[Blue Bird]

I love taking my G Kids down to the lottie as they now are learning while they do not realize it - plus the exercise they are getting by running backwards and forwards doing the odd jobs.

the only problem I have is the comments from some of the neighbours - "It's a dangerous place for children !!"

yet others say it is loverely to see youngsters learning about and interested in growing.
Do you get negative responses form any of your neighbours ???

[Garjan]

They are used to my daughter (9 years old) by now and let her walk around the site. But at first some allotmenteers were warning me about dangerous garden tools, drowning in water butts and other awefull things. As she was (and is) a very careful child, I didn't prevent me from taking her down to the allotment. In fact I appreciated the warnings as they were intended to keep her save.

What I didn't like, and still don't, is the comments of other allotmenteers on my site about children nicking the fruits of other people or trampling their beds before something actually happens. In the six years that I've got my plot, I have never seen or heard of a child on the loose, destroying anything or taking fruit without permission (but I know of adults who do!).
These comments stop quite a few parents of bringing their children. And they will not be able to experience at a young age the fun and wonder of dropping onions in a hole and see some green sticking out in a few weeks. I think it's a pity.

[Blue Bird]

I think it is important that we put children in all sorts of situations so they can experience the world and its dangers how else will they learn - my g kids are aware that they cannot go onto any one else's patch and to keep on the grass, not to touch any thing that is not ours and most important to respect other people and other  peoples property

the whole experience is s huge learning curve for them and it is to our credit that they have these opportunities

and hopefully they will become loving caring allotmenters   :)

[timelady]

Though I'm not a kids sort of person I certainly don't mind them on the site. A plotholder a couple over has some kiddies and it's nice to see/hear the activity! As we have quite a few very derelict plots with old metal bits and stuff it could be dangerous but I think as long as they have their tetanus shots they'll be okay. They seem much more interested in digging and chopping on their plot than wandering anywhere else.

Tina.

[saddad]

We have been having Primary School visits since my lad was in Infants, he's now 17, and we have about 600+ pupil visists a year...
Get them involved is what we say!
;D

[manicscousers]

callum, our 8 yr old grandson comes with us, more when it's picking time..he likes to plant in the greenhouse and pick and eat everything..i daren't let him near a spade or secateurs as he's a very active lad.. ;D

[Emagggie]

We are not permitted to take children or animals to our site. Glad to say most folk ignore this and all dogs and children who visit are delightful. ;D   Indeed I enlisted the help of my lottie neighbour's grandchildren in the making of my bug house. ;)

[manicscousers]

some rules are there to be broken, hey, maggie  ;)

[Emagggie]

You bet Manics. ;D

[carrot-cruncher]

I was given the job of looking after niece & nephew for a day when sis had to go into hospital.   Auntie Helen promptly dragged the two of them off to the lottie to help with planting ('cos it's messy & fun).

When visited sis a few days later noticed evidence of digging in front garden so queried what going on.   Told by sis that kids wanted to plant something, so niece had decided on potatoes!!!!   Nephew wanted onion (...'cos they go on my burger Auntie Helen!!).   Niece came off best 'cos her potatoes multiplied underground.

Will be interesting to see what they want to grow this year

CC