Sow and Grow

Aim of the activity – To make the Group I Balvikas children understand the concept of creation, sustenance and destruction represented by the Trinity Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Materials required Pot or Growing tray/dish – ceramic or clay or tin container, compost, some seeds of Ragi, Mustard etc

Procedure

1. Form them into groups of three or four depending on the strength of the class.
2. Assign one pot / tray to each group
3. Ask each group to label their respective pots/trays. They can be asked to write the name of their group and the name of the seed.
4. Ask each group to fill their respective pots/trays with compost
5. Make them water the compost before adding the seeds
6. Ask them to look at the different kinds of seeds, their size, shape, colours.
7. Discuss all the things they need to give for the seeds to sprout and grow into beautiful plants.
8. Ask each group to count the number of seeds and place it in their respective pots and again sprinkle water.
9. Ask each group to keep their respective pots near a window or at a place where there will be adequate sunlight.
10. Each child in a team by rotation can be assigned the responsibility of checking on the plant, sprinkling the pots with just the right amount of water and   ensuring that there is not too much or too little sunlight etc.
11. Gurus to guide them in the whole process, briefing them about weeding, advising them to carefully remove those small sprouts/plant that are infested by weeds.
12. Discuss in class about the various stages in development of the plant.
13. Within a few days, the children will be able to watch the seeds sprouting and within a week or so, they will be excited at the sight of the saplings emerging!
14. Ask the groups to share their views on the activity, why and how they enjoyed and how they felt being part of this process of creation of plants from seeds, Sustenance of the plants by tending to them regularly and destruction of unwanted weeds from the pots etc..