Harvesting Respect
Children explore plants and the natural world by harvesting edible or useful materials in a careful and thoughtful way.
What you do:
- Identify plants that are safe to harvest, such as dandelion greens, berries, or herbs.
- Observe the plant before picking and take only what is needed, showing respect and humility.
- Gently harvest using hands or small tools, avoiding damage to roots or surrounding plants, demonstrating care and love for all living things.
- Discuss the role of the plant in the ecosystem, practicing honesty about what can be taken and wisdom about seasonal growth.
- Optional: use harvested materials for cooking, art, or sensory exploration, honoring the truth of nature’s gifts and bravery in trying new experiences.
To Learn more click:
https://cass.ab.ca/indigenous-education/learning-from-the-land/
What you need:
- Access to safe, edible, or useful plants
- Small container or basket for collected materials
- Optional: small scissors or harvesting tools
Safety considerations:
Ensure children are harvesting only plants that have been identified as safe to eat or use. Check the area for hazards such as thorns, sharp branches, or uneven terrain. Encourage children to harvest gently and respectfully, following Leave No Trace principles, taking only what is needed, returning materials to where they were collected if not used, and leaving plants, animals, and soil undisturbed outside the harvested samples.
Benefits:
Physical-strengthen fine motor skills through careful picking and handling.
Intellectual- learn plant identification, growth cycles, and environmental stewardship.
Emotional- encourages patience, mindfulness, and appreciation for nature.
Spiritual- fosters a connection to the land, respect for all living beings, and understanding of Indigenous principles such as the 7 Grandfather Teachings, reinforcing values of wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth.