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Childrens' Garden Survey
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by Plocket (U684859) on Sunday, 4th December 2005
I've just read that 2,000 children aged between 4 and 11 have been surveyed and two thirds want to spend more time in the garden. Yippeee I said, only to read on and find out that apparently 23% of the children said that their parents wouldn't let them outside "in case they get dirty". I was horrified! Thank heavens there are some of us who encourage our children to enjoy the fresh air, get involved in our gardens, and get dirty!!! Any more thoughts?
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Message 2
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Sunday, 4th December 2005
I agree- kids love fresh air, don't seem to feel the cold and my grandchildren are full of wonder at clouds, planes, birds, the sound of dogs barking and even the sirens in the street.Sadly, my daughter doesn't share our love of the great out doors but I will encourage the kids all I can.
I suppose it could be difficult if you live in a flat and are worried about letting children go to parks / commons on there own ... perhaps there are supervised nature clubs that kids could join? -
Message 3
Posted by Plocket (U684859) on Sunday, 4th December 2005
I agree that it is difficult if you live in a flat or a very built up area, but these days there are plenty of parks so that even if it's a concrete area kids can swing and slide etc outside. I know it's not gardening but at least it's fresh air. We have a Wildlife Trust near us and they run clubs for children - unfortunately I think LP is too young at the moment. Schools are getting better too and try to encourage gardening and growing things.
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Message 4
Posted by Chickadeedeedeee (U2397555) on Sunday, 4th December 2005
Hi there.
Our children (3) all aged 11 years and under, are outside gardening or whatever when weather permits.
The youngest son, age 5, is an avid weeder. He does not ~~always~~ pull something that is a weed but he is learning and after all, gardening is a never ending learning process. He does try his best and that is all we can expect from anyone (including ourselves) isn't it? !
They each have an area in the veggie garden to grow what they like. Our daughter, aged 9, loves her flower patch and the pond area plantings too. She often even digs up seedlings of maple trees or something else and gives them to friends and teachers at school.
They **LOVE** to watch the hummingbirds and butterflies feeding on their flowers. Many giggles when a toad is found under a hosta leaf too.
If one is gardening and has clean hands and knees after the work is done .... well there was not a lot of gardening done was there? That is why washing machines and a change of clothes were invented.
C3D -
Message 5
Posted by Juliet (U2196646) on Sunday, 4th December 2005
If parents won't let their children go out, then thank goodness for the Woodland Trust:
I noticed when we moved here that a lot of children play outside here - big difference after Bromley. There are lots of little greens in the village & there are always children out on them, kicking balls about or building snowmen or whatever's seasonal. Can be a bit noisy but even so I think it's great that they're not all cooped up indoors.
Got more to say but Romeo being kept awake by my typing so will have to wait until tomorrow! -
Message 6
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Monday, 5th December 2005
Romeo, Romeo....you paint such a romantic scene Juliet...............PA
PS Is the pc in the study with Romeo trying out the new bed? Hope he doesn't fall.PA -
Message 7
Posted by William (U2169036) on Monday, 5th December 2005
Getting dirty has an additional benifit (especially for very young children) It helps to tune their immune system to deal with 'trouble' in an appropriate way. Apparantly children that grow up in too 'sterile' environments outdoors and indoors get more trouble with their immune system and allergies in later life.
If your body doesn't learn to deal with small infections at a young age, it doesn't know what to do at an older age and might start over-reacting. -
Message 8
Posted by Fat_Andy (U2418582) on Monday, 5th December 2005
Hi Plocket
Had little Cherub helping me rake up leaves on Saturday. Ended up in a leaf fight in which we both got dirty. Mrs A says it's like having 3 kids to look after.
I wouldn't want my 2 kids to be stuck indoors in a sterile environment. We get outside as often as we possibly can and Cherub loves it.
Cheers
Andy -
Message 9
Posted by Juliet (U2196646) on Tuesday, 6th December 2005
PS Is the pc in the study with Romeo trying out the new bed? Hope he doesn't fall.PAÌý
No, Princess A! Romeo was in the bedroom next door - he can hear the typing through the wall. Only just ordered new bed - doesn't arrive until January. Can see that it will be difficult to use the computer if anyone is sleeping there though!
The other thing I was going to say - about children gardening/playing outside - was pretty much what William said. Oh - and I read somewhere recently about a similar survey where children were asked why they don't go outside to play - an incredibly high percentage said that it was because other adults (ie not their parents) had told them off/been mean to them/refused to return balls which had gone in their gardens etc - even assuming that some of the children were playing somewhere they shouldn't have been or doing something dangerous, I found the high percentage quite shocking. I'm really not interested in children - don't want any, go out of my way to avoid other people's - but I wouldn't dream of telling someone else's children off just for playing outside, & I always throw back balls which fall in our garden! -
Message 10
Posted by Toadspawn (U2334298) on Tuesday, 6th December 2005
It is difficult to beat the taste of veg straight from the garden, no washing, and just rub the dirt off carrots. The dirt helps stimulate the immune system.
I was horrified to hear a mother say to her children desperate to stroke a calf at a plant and pet show - ' don't touch it, it is dirty, you might catch something'. Getting dirty has an additional benifit (especially for very young children) It helps to tune their immune system to deal with 'trouble' in an appropriate way. Apparantly children that grow up in too 'sterile' environments outdoors and indoors get more trouble with their immune system and allergies in later life.
If your body doesn't learn to deal with small infections at a young age, it doesn't know what to do at an older age and might start over-reacting.Ìý -
Message 11
Posted by Chickadeedeedeee (U2397555) on Tuesday, 6th December 2005
Hi Toadspawn.
".....I was horrified to hear a mother say to her children desperate to stroke a calf at a plant and pet show - ' don't touch it, it is dirty, you might catch something'...."
I am VERY sorry to say that that Mother was right. Three years ago at our county fair, several people became very ill after petting some ponies. One child (9 years old) died because of salmonella contracted by exposure to the animal.
Petting animals is wonderful as is playing in the garden. Parents MUST be vigilant and see that their children wash their hands thoroughly after such activities. Bacterium can easily be transferred from the unwashed hands to the mouth, particularly in children.
C3D -
Message 12
Posted by U2331885 (U2331885) on Tuesday, 6th December 2005
It is difficult to beat the taste of veg straight from the garden, no washing, and just rub the dirt off carrots. The dirt helps stimulate the immune system.
I was horrified to hear a mother say to her children desperate to stroke a calf at a plant and pet show - ' don't touch it, it is dirty, you might catch something'. Getting dirty has an additional benifit (especially for very young children) It helps to tune their immune system to deal with 'trouble' in an appropriate way. Apparantly children that grow up in too 'sterile' environments outdoors and indoors get more trouble with their immune system and allergies in later life.
If your body doesn't learn to deal with small infections at a young age, it doesn't know what to do at an older age and might start over-reacting.Ìý Ìý
Toadspawn - Couldn't agree more! "A tad of dirt don't hurt!" Fresh veg beats anything! And you know how it was grown to boot. The feel good factor must be worth a fortune on its own. -
Message 13
Posted by William (U2169036) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Hi C3D,
Hi Toadspawn.
".....I was horrified to hear a mother say to her children desperate to stroke a calf at a plant and pet show - ' don't touch it, it is dirty, you might catch something'...."
I am VERY sorry to say that that Mother was right. Three years ago at our county fair, several people became very ill after petting some ponies. One child (9 years old) died because of salmonella contracted by exposure to the animal.
C3DÌý
I sort of find it difficult to make a rule out of something exceptional. Of course basic hygene is OK. But contact with non sterile elements of our environment is important too.
We might as well advise people to stay away from garden shows with water features...
A couple of years ago quite a lot of people died catching legionaire diseases from a water feature in a garden show....
In this case the (maintenance of the) water feature wasn't up to scratch... -
Message 14
Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Just had to say how wonderful it must be to have this taking place in your garden Chickadeedeedee!
They **LOVE** to watch the hummingbirds and butterflies feeding on their flowers.
The closest thing I have had is a hummingbird hawk moth on a pot of bizzie lizzies- fantastic to see as it was, it only ever happened once a couple of years ago.
Back to the subject -I think all children should be encouraged either at home or at school to experience gardening and wildlife/animals. The amount of children I meet who are even scared of dog's is really sad (and my Cavaliers are the most friendly creatures ). I sometimes think that all the new teching methods leave a lot to be desired and I think it should be a back to basics scheme - (C is for carrot - if anyone saw any of Jamie's Kitchen most kid's could'nt tell you what fresh veg looked like)Unfortunately I have seen the damage that unappreciative people do to woodlands and hedgerow's, we are forever picking crisp packets, cans etc etc....from the local hedges, ponds and canal and it is so sad to see branches torn off tree's, we even had someone kill a young swan and leave it on the side of the canal- the council and landscapers do their best but as soon as you clear one lot it is back with a vengence. It is such a shame as it is really beautiful here- if they are able to embrace the wonder of nature at an early age, hopefully it will never leave them and they will want to preserve it. ( that ended up a bit of a rant...sorry
) -
Message 15
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Rant away Lottie Lady. You're absolutely right about the need for everyone to learn respect for the environment whether it's the countryside or in urban areas. Common sense is also essential but often lacking and applies to environmental and basic personal and gardening hygiene too but please lets do get kids dirty from time to time in their normal every day lives whilst avoiding obvious dangers.
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Message 16
Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Monday, 12th December 2005
Just heard about this on the local news......very encouraging
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Message 17
Posted by William (U2169036) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
(most kid's could'nt tell you what fresh veg looked like)Ìý
Fresh veg isn't that the floppy green stuff sold in in cling film ???
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Message 18
Posted by William (U2169036) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
Just heard about this on the local news......very encouraging
Ìý
Great picture of two lady puppeteers....
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Message 19
Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
OMG....with NAKED PUPPETS!!!!!
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Message 20
Posted by Toadspawn (U2334298) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
Did you read the Emperors New Clothes? Only the clever and intelligent (and of course tallented gardeners) could see the clothes.
The puppets look magnificent dressed in their finery. OMG....with NAKED PUPPETS!!!!!Ìý
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Message 21
Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
Hmmmm...remembering the Danny Kaye song....The King Was In The Alltogether....da de da de dum
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Message 22
Posted by Rhoda Dendron (U2176380) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
Are we having a sing-song?
Oh the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caracticus were just passing by.... -
Message 23
Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
There once was an ugly duckling, with feathers all fluffy and brown.....
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Message 24
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
I saw a mouse there
Where, there on the stair
A little mouse with clogs on
Well I declare
Going clip-clippity clop on the stairs
To all the Dutch boarders......
Heaven help you if I drink at the party - with my friend Val Doonican!! -
Message 25
Posted by Rhoda Dendron (U2176380) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
Or my favourite (good for gardeners)
Inchworm, inchworm
Measuring the marigold
You and your arithmetic
You'll probably go far
(Chorus)
Two and two are four
Four and four are eight
Eight and eight are sixteen
Sixteen and sixteen are thirty-two
(Which we used to carry on with
thirty-two and thirty-two are sixty-four
sixty-four and sixty four are one hundred and twenty eight
one hundred and twenty eight and one hundred and twenty eight are two hundred and fifty six
(etc. etc. until my Dad took a swipe at us for being silly..) -
Message 26
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
Last posting of the night.....
Two little dickie birds sitting on the wall
One named Peter one named Paul
Fly away Peter, fly away Paul
Come bak Peter come back Paul
Only really appeals if you have young kids with you!!
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Message 27
Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
Danny Kaye...was'nt he just lovely!
and dont forget...
I'm dreaming of a white christmas, just like the one's I used to know........
one of my most favorite old films ( that and Singin' in the Rain!) -
Message 28
Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Tuesday, 13th December 2005
Why do we call birds 'dickie'???? Seriously it's one of those things that no-one really knows the answer to!
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Message 29
Posted by William (U2169036) on Wednesday, 14th December 2005
I saw a mouse there
Where, there on the stair
A little mouse with clogs on
Well I declare
Going clip-clippity clop on the stairs
To all the Dutch boarders......
Heaven help you if I drink at the party - with my friend Val Doonican!!Ìý
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Message 30
Posted by Plocket (U684859) on Wednesday, 14th December 2005
Why do we call birds 'dickie'???? Seriously it's one of those things that no-one really knows the answer to!Ìý
Ok Lottie Lady - you asked!!! I found this:
"The Sphinx was a harmless dickie-bird in comparison" to quote Horace Walpole (1781) which appears to be the first time the phrase was ever in print. It's fairly certain to have been started by parents as toddler-speak. -
Message 31
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Wednesday, 14th December 2005
</quote>
</quote>
:-p -
Message 32
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Wednesday, 14th December 2005
Sorry William - that would have been smiley blowing a raspberry but obviously Â鶹Éç protocol does not allow - or I am not computer literate enough!PA
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Message 33
Posted by William (U2169036) on Thursday, 15th December 2005
Sorry William - that would have been smiley blowing a raspberry but obviously Â鶹Éç protocol does not allow - or I am not computer literate enough!PAÌý
Hi PA,
I got it even if it didn't translate into a smiley.... Don't know Val D but the original song was in Dutch by Rudi Carell, who later migrated to Germany to do family shows on TV (generation game a.o.- btw also a Dutch invention)
Ik zag een muis
Waar
Daar op de trap
Waar op de trap
Wel daar
Een kleine muis op klompjes
Nee, 't is geen grap
't Ging van klipklipperdiklap op de trap
Oh ja
Oh ja
Ìý -
Message 34
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Thursday, 15th December 2005
Hi William - it sounds better in Dutch, believe me.
Val Doonican was an Irish singer who wore big jumpers with fancy patterns on them in the 60s and 70s then faded off the screen - in the UK anyway. I always thought Max Bygraves was responsible for the mouse and clogs. -
Message 35
Posted by weedy (U2329409) on Thursday, 15th December 2005
Back to the original thread if I may. In Septemeber when our playgroup did Harvest, my two kids were politely but firmly taken out to play with toys while they did the old 'what's this? (holding up a carrot/ cauli/ parnsip/ swede/ potato etc), due the fact that they would've shouted out the answer before anyone else had a look in. So to give the others a chance they had extra playtime. You could look at it two ways - get really angry that they were excluded or, as I did, feel mighty proud that all the leaders knew they would already know the answers. Take note, Jamie Oliver... The only fruit in the supermarket that Michael wasn't sure of the name was a pineapple but then that hardly ever graces our fruit bowl! wg
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Message 36
Posted by William (U2169036) on Thursday, 15th December 2005
Hi Obelixx
You're right is was an English original but not by Max Bygraves but Ted Dicks & Myles Rudge (never heard of those befor though) ?????? -
Message 37
Posted by Plocket (U684859) on Thursday, 15th December 2005
Back to the original thread if I may. In Septemeber when our playgroup did Harvest, my two kids were politely but firmly taken out to play with toys while they did the old 'what's this? (holding up a carrot/ cauli/ parnsip/ swede/ potato etc), due the fact that they would've shouted out the answer before anyone else had a look in. So to give the others a chance they had extra playtime. You could look at it two ways - get really angry that they were excluded or, as I did, feel mighty proud that all the leaders knew they would already know the answers. Take note, Jamie Oliver... The only fruit in the supermarket that Michael wasn't sure of the name was a pineapple but then that hardly ever graces our fruit bowl! wgÌý
Funny you should mention that Weedy but something similar happened with LP. On this particular day they were tasting fruit at play school, and had bowls of soft fruit - raspberries, cherries, strawberries and the like. They had to take LP away because she wanted to eat all the strawberries and cherries!
I think kids are doing a lot better these days and that parents are much more aware of their learning needs - and I don't mean reading and writing. LP walks along the "vegible" shelves in the supermarket and asks if she doesn't recognise anything (a rarity now) and wants me to buy it so she can try it! -
Message 38
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Thursday, 15th December 2005
<quote>
Ik zag een muis
Waar
Daar op de trap
Waar op de trap
Wel daar
Een kleine muis op klompjes
Nee, 't is geen grap
't Ging van klipklipperdiklap op de trap
Oh ja
Oh ja
</quote>
</quote>
Used to go to Holland a lot - will save this, as next time will use it as my party piece. - unless you can translate some Pink Floyd stuff!!l PA -
Message 39
Posted by William (U2169036) on Thursday, 15th December 2005
<quote user='princessAnabana' userid='2421659'>
<quote>
Ik zag een muis
Waar
Daar op de trap
Waar op de trap
Wel daar
Een kleine muis op klompjes
Nee, 't is geen grap
't Ging van klipklipperdiklap op de trap
Oh ja
Oh ja
</quote>
</quote>
Used to go to Holland a lot - will save this, as next time will use it as my party piece. - unless you can translate some Pink Floyd stuff!!l PA</quote>
Any particular piece of lyric you've got in mind... Got quite a few of their albums... -
Message 40
Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Friday, 16th December 2005
Not really - just wanted to lose the image of Val Doonican & I saw a mouse!! Pink Floyd are actually my favourite group - Great Gig in the Sky is my all time but I have all their albums and love everything except (funnily enough) Money. Saw them in '73 (in my pushchair - at the tender age of..................20)PA
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