April 7 - Seeds That Scatter, Questions That Take Root

Even though some friends saw snow on their way to Edgerton Park, we all met under bright sun in the garden. Spring weather is full of surprises. Friends met at the table to explore clay and different kinds of seed pods. F looked at a dried plant with dozens of small seeds growing out from the center. Mv shook the musical day lily pods while N listened. We shook so hard that the seeds flew everywhere, even into our hair. Ly cautiously greeted Baby H, hoping to make friends.

We were curious about what a seed is and the seeds we hope to plant this season. We were reminded about the seed paper we made in the fall.

Water, Transformation, and the Work of Many Hands

We needed water to add to the seed paper to release the seeds. There was a surprise in store in the garden. The spigots were back on. We filled bowls and pots with water and added the seed paper. N, K, and Hen got to work, turning the seed paper to mush. Baby H took a look at the selection of seed packets, noticing colors and vegetables.

As the paper softened and began to break apart, we noticed how the children stayed with the process, returning again and again to touch, stir, and observe. Their actions suggested an emerging sense that something hidden might be revealed through water, time, and care.

Then it was time to head to the blanket for morning circle. We sang to greet our friends with the ukulele. Then we learned a new chant with hand motions to help us think about what Brave Nature is all about.

The chant goes like this:

Planting, Watching, Becoming

Then we headed into the garden to plant many seeds. Each friend decided how they would participate in the gardening, following their own curiosity.

N and Ly were in charge of filling the pots with dirt.

F pressed peas into the soil.

K planted pumpkin seeds over the whole plot.

Mv went back and forth from the spigot, filling a watering can.

Ha brought the baby dolls along and showed them how to garden too.

H explored the other plots and plants growing already.

R was on pollinator and worm lookout, and when Mt arrived, he was ready to join in all of the gardening duties.

Baby H looked on sleepily but kept her eyes open to watch everyone work together in the bright spring sunlight.

The garden became a shared language. We noticed how each child took on a role, not assigned but discovered. Their choices suggested different ways of understanding participation, care, and belonging within a living system.

After a long time with our hands in the dirt, friends spread out into the community garden to see what else there was to discover. R found a bee box in one of the gardens, and we learned about how bees can build a home inside. Then a honeybee landed on R’s ear for just a moment before flying away. R signed “more,” hoping to have another interaction with his new friend.

We made our way back to the circle in our own time to have a snack together on the blanket. We read Strange Creatures by Christina Sitja Rubio about animals in the forests and how they might react to deforestation if they worked together. Then it was important to Mt that we sing We Are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner.

Hen was ready for some big body movements too and did some running and crashing into a sturdy grownup. Then we were ready to sing Love is a Circle before saying our goodbyes.

In the rhythm of the morning, children moved between observation, action, and reflection. They asked with their bodies, their gestures, and their words: How do we live together here? The garden, in return, offered its own quiet responses.

Thanks for being part of Brave Nature Collaborative.

Subscribe now

Subscribe for free to receive new posts directly in your inbox, revisit our growing archive any time, and support the collective work of our community.

Some of the book links in this post are affiliate links through Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase, Brave Nature School receives a small commission—at no extra cost to you.