During our first playdates, the Cilantro children explored all the areas of the classroom and Middle Courtyard. One corner of the Middle Courtyard was set up with seeds, pods, leaves, petals and many natural materials to explore. Copper spent some time grinding the cilantro seeds and wondered out loud, “How could we plant them?” The question was placed in the area for consideration with her new peers.
The children used the molcajete (pestle) to grind and explore the fragrances coming from the natural materials. Roleen was visiting and surprised the group with a tiny gift pouch filled with cilantro seeds. Attached was a note that read “From our garden to yours.” I took a moment to revisit the question from Copper and proposed we plant these seeds to see what might happen.
The children were interested and made a list of things we might need.
Copper: Water
Luka: Dirt.
Colette: It needs to be like summer.
Cindy: Are you thinking of the sun?
Colette: Like when we grow flowers.
We met in small groups and planted the seeds in small paper rolls as starter pots.
Ami, recalling one of our new favorite songs, added “We need to shower them with love!” and illustrated the potted seeds being showered with love.
I wondered how we could share this experience with the Dandelions.
Cindy: Roleen gifted us the cilantro seeds. What do you think about surprising the Dandelions with dandelion seeds?
Copper: I love the Dandelions.
Dot: We love them and miss them.
The children took turns sharing ideas and we came up with a list of things to do. The group agreed we would need wrapping paper, a box, ribbons, and bows, and Oona added that we should send it with blessings. Over a period of many days, we painted paper for wrapping, selected and cut ribbons, and created a plan for delivery.
After selecting which paper to use, we got to work on wrapping the box. This brought a new challenge as the group discovered tying ribbons and using a tape dispenser is not so easy when you first try. Finally, we were ready to deliver and a message was sent to the Dandelion teachers to let them know that we had a present for the group. The plan was to meet in the Middle Courtyard at the clear divider.
Borrowing an idea from one of our books, we wrote a message on our large dry erase board and placed it along with the present at our clear divider. The children waited with excitement as the Dandelions came out their door. Here is the message:
Dear Dandelions,
Here is a surprise. Can you guess what is?
- You might need a shovel and a bucket
- You will need water
- Shower it with love
- It will grow and grow and grow.
Love, The Cilantro group
This group invested in many days of work to share this moment and found joy in this giving experience. We recognized this process of collaborating while thinking about others was also a gift to themselves.
The gift of being united and working together on a common goal is something very special. These opportunities unite us and bring to light the many ways that we can connect with one another, create a stronger bond, and build the foundation of trust in our new relationships.