Planting bulbs resonates with growing kids at nursery

“You’re going to be urban farmers someday!” assistant teacher Maureen Lombardi cheerfully called out to her class of 2-year-olds at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church Nursery School (RPCNS) on Nov. 18. The tiny students were sitting in the dirt, plunking daffodil bulbs into pre-dug holes.

It was the nursery school’s annual Planting Day, in which children sowed bulbs along walkways that will grow in the spring.

“It’s one thing to appreciate nature; it’s another thing to be part of nature… and get your fingers dirty,” said Lauren Mactas Bowles, the executive director of RPCNS. “We’re a very hands-on program, so digging, planting and then watching what happens when you put your energy and your effort into the earth, how you can protect it and respect it, [are a] very big part of our curriculum.”

While the 2-year-olds did not quite grasp the concept that the bulbs will grow into daffodils in a few months, Ms. Mactas Bowles said older children learned all about the growth process before they came out to bury their bulbs. But the real excitement comes in the spring.

“When that first little green bit comes out of the dirt, that’s their first visual proof of their labor, so that’s going to be a really big deal for them,” she said.

She added that the children will also help take care of the flowers, making sure the ground is watered and charting the plants’ growth.

“Growth and becoming a big kid, that’s something that really resonates with them. So watching something that they couldn’t see at all become something tall and beautiful, it’s something they can relate to,” Ms. Mactas Bowles said.

Rev. Michael Hafele, the pastor for the Riverdale Presbyterian Church, stopped by to check out the activities.

“It is absolutely beautiful during the springtime. Usually it’s right around when we celebrate Easter, and it’s just new life and it’s really beautiful,” he said.

Ms. Mactas Bowles said family involvement is a key part of the school, and Planting Day is no exception.

“All the holes were dug by families,” she explained. “So we had grandparents and parents on their knees digging the holes, making sure they were deep enough, removing rocks, so they really were the start of the project.”

Dinesh Kunder came out to watch his son plant his daffodil. He said since his family lives in a co-op, they do not have the opportunity to garden very often.

“He’s having fun. He likes to dig in,” Mr. Kunder remarked.

“Getting dirty, getting messy, really getting your hands into a project, that’s the essence of early childhood development,” said Ms. Mactas Bowles.