“A weed is just a plant whose virtues have not yet
been discovered.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Taking a walk recently with our preschool children we came across a small patch of dandelions. My first thought was to run into the patch, pick a flower which had gone to seed and blow its head.
As a child I would spend hours making necklaces or crowns and blow the seeds of the parachute ball. Summer to me as a child was synonymous with dandelions.
Many consider the dandelion a pesky weed which ruins their lawn. Dandelions, however, represent true beauty, inside and outside. On
the outside they are beautiful to look at with their bright yellow petals or snowy white fluffy seed head. On the inside they offer many medicinal and culinary uses.
A dandelion will grow under almost all conditions, dry or wet, light or dark. it will put roots down almost anywhere, and is almost impossible to destroy. A dandelion is a survivor in even the harshest conditions.
Wherever you plant a dandelion seed, you will be sure to see one blooming in the near future. So why not use dandelions to plant and spread our messages of hope for the care of planet Earth?
For a week we collected seeds, with some children bringing in jars full of seeds from their own garden at home. We added the seeds to the pulp we had been making as part of our paper recycling process. This resulted in our own recycled paper with embedded dandelion seeds, which we cut into small labels.
All that was left to do now is to write our messages of hope and share
them around. The children had compiled several messages, from “hundreds of buzzy bees in this world so we can have some honey”, to “don’t step on the snail because it is a living thing”.
As people plant the paper label into the soil, they will also plant a message of hope. Just like the dandelion, the message will spread and bloom, anytime, anywhere!
Today’s children are much more removed from the natural world. While they may be more knowledgeable and know more facts about planet Earth, their hearts are less connected with our beautiful world. Children need an adult to share the miracles and wonders of the natural world with them.
I cannot give you a dandelion paper label but folklore says that blowing the seeds off a dandelion will carry your thoughts and dreams to your loved ones. So I am going outside now and blow the dandelion seeds in our garden.
As they get carried by the wind, across the Earth, my dream will be
that you will be the adult who will take the time to share with a child the virtue of the dandelion. Together we can open the heart of our children to the beauty and wonder of the Earth and spread messages of hope at the same time.
- Anja
Guest Blogger Bio: Anja Geelen is creator, editor, author & designer behind the Little Eyes on Nature blog and the Little Eyes on Nature website. She is the principal of Tawa Montessori Preschool, a small Montessori pre-school in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Little Earth Montessori Kapiti, a new enviro Montessori preschool in Kapiti. Anja is passionate about sharing nature with young children, as well as promoting this concept to educators world-wide. Follow Anja on Twitter @eyesonnature.
Beautiful post and great idea on collecting the seeds and including them in your paper recycling process.
My daughter and I had a wonderful time at the playground this weekend and yes, we did find some dandelions and make some wishes!
Thanks for sharing this
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Eco Transportation: Two Wheels Better Than More =-.
What a great idea incorporating dandelion seeds in your homemade paper!
Dandelions are one of the most nutritious plants in the world. When I was growing up, we always had dandelion salad in the spring, and when the yellow flowers appeared, we would have fried dandelion blossoms! Those are still one of my favorite treats!
We went to a program about dandelions, at the Cleveland Metroparks (Ohio), and had the opportunity to taste over 70 different types of food made with dandelions, from honey to dandelion coffee, tea, pasta, pasta sauce, and so many more!
Plus, all the wonderful memories I have of my young daughters bringing me fistfuls of yellow flowers that I would carefully place in a small glass of water, to create a lovely arrangement that brightened the room!
.-= Ruth´s last blog ..A 12 Year Old With A Message =-.
Beautifully written! I love this post Anja and it’s simple message.
When children and nature mix, something magical happens. It is up to all of us to take the time to share that magic.
We were blowing dandelion wishes in the orchards this past week.
.-= Marghanita Hughes´s last blog ..Playing Amongst The Dandelions =-.
RT @balmeras: http://ow.ly/1GbpD Don't miss this lovely post from @eyesonnature The Virtue of the Dandelion
http://ow.ly/1GbqO Don't miss this lovely post from @eyesonnature The Virtue of the Dandelion
The Virtue of the Dandelion http://bit.ly/9tYFFP via @AddToAny
RT @balmeras: http://ow.ly/1GbqO Don't miss this lovely post from @eyesonnature The Virtue of the Dandelion
So GLAD I had the chance to share this great piece from Anja. I love how social media has brought so many of us together from around the globe!
RT @balmeras: http://ow.ly/1GbpD Don't miss this lovely post from @eyesonnature The Virtue of the Dandelion
My son LOVES picking dandelions and bringing them into the house for his (rocking) horse, Cactus. Apparently Cactus is a big fan of dandelions, too. Me, I enjoy dandelion wine the most.
.-= Mel´s last blog ..Gear Review: Green River 6—Kelty =-.
How cute is that, Mel! Awwww, Cactus!
In case U missed this beautiful piece:The Virtue of the Dandelion http://bit.ly/9tYFFP from @eyesonnature
So wonderful!! @balmeras In case U missed this beautiful piece:The Virtue of the Dandelion http://bit.ly/9tYFFP from @eyesonnature
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post! We spent last weekend at my parents farm where we were greeted with a bumper crop of dandelions! My sister had made dandelion syrup (yummy), we harvested the greens for salads, we made dandelion crowns and gathered bunches of flowers to brighten up the house. There are so many amazing uses for dandelions and they bring such joy… how can anyone think they’re a weed?!?
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Green Tip – Reduce Your Pesticide Exposure =-.
RT @balmeras: In case U missed this beautiful piece:The Virtue of the Dandelion http://bit.ly/9tYFFP from @eyesonnature
RT @balmeras: In case U missed this beautiful piece:The Virtue of the Dandelion http://bit.ly/9tYFFP from @eyesonnature
So enjoyed this read from @eyesonnature at The Grass Stain Guru blog http://bit.ly/cXWtVx #nature #ece
Revisiting an old post from @eyesonnature guesting on @balmeras : http://bit.ly/cXWtVx #playoutdoors #nature #hope #peace
RT @littlehumbugs: Revisiting an old post from @eyesonnature guesting on @balmeras : http://bit.ly/cXWtVx #playoutdoors #nature #hope #peace
The Virtue of the Dandelion http://bit.ly/cvDH6b A fave guest post by @EyesOnNature. #ECE #playoutdoors
RT @balmeras: The Virtue of the Dandelion http://bit.ly/cvDH6b A fave guest post by @EyesOnNature. #ECE #playoutdoors
Blog closet: The Virtue of the Dandelion http://bit.ly/cvDH6b #nature #playoutdoors #ECE