Montessori-Inspired

Of all our boys, Oliver seems most motivated to work in the garden. He enjoys just spending time in there, tiptoeing along the path while talking to himself amongst the spinach and peppers and strawberries, pulling up weeds and snacking on strawberries as soon as they’re ripe. This summer he is ready to harvest using our sharp shears. After showing him how to handle the shears and where to cut the kale (always the very bottom leaves first, as close to the stalk as possible), he was delighted to get to work.

I have shown Oliver how to harvest kale many times. It was very important for me to only be the witness this time, to document and to stay back out of his way. He knew what to do, as is often the case when we allow our children to do tasks they deem to be important and grown up. He decided to harvest some spinach as well…After cutting, Oliver was responsible for washing the kale. Though the pictures below are from a different day of harvest (Oliver did that one too!), they represent the importance of involving the boys in the process of learning where their food comes from- from starting a tiny seed to caring for and watering it, to harvesting it, to washing it for consumption. All brothers joined in, soaking the leaves and checking the undersides for cabbage moth eggs and caterpillars.  Oliver was so motivated by this task and proud of his harvest, he periodically took huge bites out of the kale after washing it. What a great way to get kids to eat their veggies! We shook water off the rest and stored it in the veggie drawer of our refrigerator. Happy gardening!