What does a plant require to grow? Well, they need to be nurtured. Care and attention are essential for a thriving plant. In the same way, children also require care and attention in order to learn and develop, allowing them to reach their full potential. At Young Innovators Australia, we strive to provide support, passion-based interaction, and experience for impressionable minds.
Last spring, my younger brother was required to grow a plant as part of a school project. So I bought him a plant in a pot from a local nursery. A week later he came asking me why the plant was not growing. When I went and found the plant in a cupboard. When asked why the plant was in the cupboard, he replied with I don’t know. I told him that the plant had to be taken care of and interacted with in order for it to grow. This was a new idea for him, and all he has done was told the plant to grow. I told him he had to touch the soil and check that the soil was moist enough for the plant to grow in. the plant needed to be watered if there wasn’t enough moisture in the soil. He moved the plant from the cupboard to the table and started to water it, and sure enough, after a while, a seedling sprouted.
After a couple of weeks, the kid came back and asked why it has stopped growing. Upon inspection, I realised the plant no longer had enough space in the pot for its roots to grow. So I told him to move it outside, where there would be more space and sunlight for it to thrive. But the boy was reluctant, exclaiming that the conditions outside were too harsh and that the plant would surely perish. I replied that the soil outside was far more rich and fertile than in the pot. Therefore, the risk was worth it. There was no way to strengthen the plant and allow it to thrive if it was constantly sheltered, and it must be encouraged and helped for it to grow.
That’s all well and good, but what about strengthening and preparing your child for the future? Just like a plant requires exposure to different environments to allow it to grow out its roots and [expand], children need a change of scenery once in awhile for their minds to properly form and [develop]. If constantly sheltered, they will not gather any experience, and will surely suffer when thrust upon [the harsh ways of society]. Their {naturally} inquisitive nature should not be ignored; it should flourish and evolve, allowing the child to use these skills, and seeking new and innovative methods to solve common problems.
At the YIA, we allow your child to explore, experience and collaborate to reach their true potential. We uncover hidden skills and previously unaware strengths through a range of activities and workshops. As well as having fun, your child will be able to subconsciously grow and thrive from a small seedling to a beautiful tree.