Watering the Neighbour's Garden

Adventures come in so many shapes and sizes. Everybody and their dog seemed to be away on holiday during the summer's long weekend but we managed to truly enjoy our little yard and the quiet that settled over our neighbourhood. The streets were so silent that Althea was able to practice her peddle skills without worrying about cars and we could enjoy the yard without whipper snippers, mowers and chain saws going all over the place.  Silence and space. Such simple pleasures!

In fact, one such pleasure that my Little Observer has been experiencing is just the act of watering the neighbour's garden while they are away on holiday. It is a kindness that brings us closer to our friends and that lets us explore a green space that is so close to our own but that we don't often visit. Have you offered to water your neighbour's plants while they are away or do you have a garden of your own? Here are some nature observation questions to ask  your little one that will bring some STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) practice to the experience of watering!

10 Nature Observation Questions for Watering Plants:

1. What does the soil look and feel like before we water?
2. What plant looks like it needs water? (What makes you say that?)
3. What plant are you watering now? Can you tell?
4. What do you think this plant would say if it could talk?
5. What does the soil look like and feel like after we water?
6. Now that we've watered it, what do you think the plant will look like when we visit later? (Go back later to check!)
   
7. What one of these plants would you like to plant in our own garden?
8. What makes the water come out of this hose or watering can?
   
9. What things other than water does this plant need to live?
   
10. What kinds of insects, animals and birds are hanging around the garden today?