Enabling Environments: Tried and Tested - Plant and grow

Planting and growing stimulates children's curiosity about the natural world. Outside, they experience the weather and the changes of seasons, and can hear and see exciting things such as insects and worms. They use gross and fine motor skills, for example in digging the soil and planting a seed. They learn about how the environment affects plants and what plants need in order to grow, and they also learn how to co-operate with one another, taking turns with tools such as the watering can.

WILDFLOWERS SEED MATS

MIND STRETCHERS

AGE: 3+

PRICE £15 each

CONTACT: 01764 664409 or www.mindstretchers.co.uk

A gauze mat impregnated with mixed wildflower seeds, which germinate when laid under a thin layer of soil

Tested by Heidi Evans, registered childminder, Purley on Thames

'There was a list of wild flowers printed on the packaging and it mentioned that the collection included foxgloves (digitalis), which I know are poisonous. I am concerned about having them around young children and am not sure why they included these flowers in a product aimed at children.

'The simple instructions on the container (numbered with pictures) were an excellent aid to learning, as one child looked at them, pointed to each stage and told me what we would need to do at each point.

'The children learned about how soil and water are needed to help plants grow. They really enjoyed covering the mat with soil and then watering it. After this, they went to our free digging area and continued to dig in soil and pour water on to it.

'We will be watching developments on the allotment to see how the seeds germinate and grow.

'If you want something very simple to do with very young children that is quick and easy, then it is good value, but I think I would prefer actual seeds so that the children could see them better and touch them.'

Star Ratings: *** - Good

POP-UP GREENHOUSE and WATERING CAN

EARLY YEARS FROM THE CONSORTIUM

Greenhouse:

AGE: 3+

PRICE: £20.99

.75 litre painted Yeominis watering can:

AGE: 18 months+

Price £6.99

CONTACT: 0845 330 7780

A pop-up greenhouse and small watering can

Tested by Marigold Day Nursery, Heswall, Wirrall

'A lot of gardening takes place within our setting with all the age groups.

The greenhouse helped the growth of our produce and enabled the children to closely watch the plants growing and changing.

'The greenhouse itself is a good size, which meant that all the children could use it; it wasn't too big or too small. It was very easy to assemble and the children loved opening it to water the plants.

'This enhanced the children's learning, as they were able to discuss how the plants were changing and growing. Discussions then arose from this, such as "what helps plants grow". This developed their interest and their learning further, including talking about the weather and recording the different types of weather each day.

'The building of the greenhouse was done as an activity with many children taking part. The children also decided where they wanted to put the greenhouse when it was built. This encouraged teamwork and also involved problem-solving.

'The watering can encouraged the children's hand-eye co-ordination when watering the plants and once again let them learn about how things grow and what plants and humans need to stay alive and to grow and develop.

'We feel it is very reasonably priced, but while the greenhouse is safe, it is not very sturdy.

'The children thoroughly enjoyed this product. It enabled them all to look at the growing plants and they took it in turns to water the plants and log how they had grown, giving the children a sense of autonomy and responsibility for looking after something. One child said, "I like it because it helps our plants to grow!"'

Star Ratings: ***** - Excellent

GARDENING EQUIPMENT

NES Arnold

AGE 3+

PRICE £69.95

CONTACT: 0845 120 4525 or www.nesarnold.co.uk

A junior gardening set, including a watering can, wheelbarrow, trowel, hand shovel, fork, rake, shovel, broom, spade and two sets of gardening gloves.

Tested by Frederick Bird Primary School, Coventry

'We have recently had a new soft floor playground laid in part of our outdoor area. The builders filled our large growing troughs with soil from the rebuild, but unfortunately this contained many stones and rubble.

'We introduced the set by explaining to the children that we wanted to grow plants and flowers in our new playground but that we had to make the soil suitable for growing.

'They quickly became involved in digging the soil and sifting it with sieves to remove the stones. They then transported the stones away using the wheelbarrow. We bought new compost and they transported this themselves to the growing area and dug in the compost using all of the equipment.

'They planted new plants, flowers, seeds and vegetables, using the tools provided. The children were excited to use the new equipment and fully engaged in the process of planting.

'One child who is on the autistic spectrum loves transporting objects and he became fully involved in using the wheelbarrow. This enabled him to feel included in the group of children working in the garden area.

'The long-handled stiff brush that comes with the set is excellent. Itencouraged children to be responsible for cleaning up after themselves.

'Initially, £70 seems rather expensive, but the equipment is very strong and sturdy and will last well. We have previously bought plastic tools. Although they were cheap, they broke quickly. The metal tools and wheelbarrow in this set are well built and will survive use by many children for a much longer period of time.'

Star Ratings: ***** - Excellent

MINI GARDENER SET

TTS EDUCATION

AGE: 3+

PRICE: £8.99

CONTACT: 0800 318 686 or www.tts-group.co.uk

A child-sized set of gardening tools including a rake, fork, trowel, spade, two scoops, a watering can/spray, all contained in a canvas bag

Tested by Bewbush Nursery, Bewbush Children's Centre, West Sussex

'A lot of children who attend our nursery live in flats or have no garden to speak of. Although we have a small outdoor area, we encourage children to take an interest in growing.

'We do this by planting different seeds with the children and then transplanting them into our garden, where the children help to water them and watch them grow. We also plant some fruit and vegetables which, when the time is ready, we pick, prepare and then eat together at snack time.

'This helps children to have an understanding of growing, lifecycles and healthy food. We also use this opportunity to talk about safety issues, such as what you can eat and plants to avoid.

'The tools have been used daily in small group time, where the children do gardening activities. Because the children have been using the set we have talked about appropriate use, and the children have been encouraged to share and take turns.

'They particularly enjoyed using the water pump, and after using it the children are encouraged to tidy it away into the bag.

'The children like using any of the tools. They are all brightly coloured, so they are happy with any tool and are learning to share. The set is a good price. It looks nice and is proving to be hard-wearing. The children love it.'

Star Ratings: **** - Very Good

HANGING BASKETS

SbS

AGE 3+

PRICE £19.95 for three

CONTACT: 08451 25 25 50 or www.sbs-educational.co.uk

A pack of three hanging animal baskets, with plant marker, liner, stickers, seeds, soil tablets and growing guide

Tested by Mayfield Kindergarten, Ilfracombe

'We are plagued with snails and slugs here, so this set was ideal for us. The baskets are lightweight and it was not a major operation to hang them. We have put them on the fence so they are accessible for the children but out of the way of the slugs - for now!

'It is a very nice set and easy to use and I think it is good value for money.

'The children enjoyed potting up the baskets. We only needed to add compost. The seeds are tiny - too small for the children to handle, so we put the seeds in some sand and they could sprinkle that mix into the baskets. They enjoyed feeling the seeds and the soil.

'Each basket is on a different theme. One has plants for rabbits, so it is full of leaves, another is full of flowers to attract butterflies, and the third one has flowers that bees like. We have been talking about insects, so the baskets have been very interesting for the children.'

'The set comes with little stickers that the children enjoyed using to decorate the baskets.

Star Rating: *** - Good

All prices are exclusive of VAT and post/packaging

BEST BUY

For Anne England, head of Foundation and Reception team leader at Barton Primary and Nursery School, Torquay, her best buy on a gardening theme is a set of three small pastel-coloured galvanised watering cans from Homebase (now £9.99 each).

'They are also available on the website called www.younggardener.com (for £5.99 each). When I found this site I also bought some little gardening gloves and tools.

'The children just love the watering cans and use them avidly - too much at times. We have also filled them with bubbles and used them as vases.

'The children used them to make their own clay models of watering cans, which led to a great deal of model making.

'They have a Beatrix Potter charm to them, which they children like, and are a resource I would not be without. The colours and the old-fashionedness of them makes them a hit.'