I so enjoy having children visit my garden! They absorb droplets of gardening joy like a bird drinking from a bird bath. I especially love their inquisitive follow-up questions to whatever I’m saying to them.
Invariably, the chickens are a main attraction. They get to feed them, water them, hold them, and rob their nests of eggs. One of their questions usually is, “why are the eggs different colors?” And the follow up is, “are they different on the inside because they’re different colors on the outside?”
I think you can guess what the lesson plan becomes after these golden questions!
Take time to experience the natural wonders with the children in your sphere of influence. Tell them stories about our awe-inspiring varied relationships with creation and how we depend on each other for sustenance.
These young garden guests inspire me to sing the old hymn, “This Is my Father’s World.” We used to sing it in Vacation Bible School!
Which “nature” stories do you remember from your childhood?
This is my Father’s world
And to my listening ears, all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas. his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world
The birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world.
He shines in all that’s fair; In the rustling grass, I hear him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.