Extract from Spring Nature Activities for Children

Even a windowsill can hold an impressive nature experience -- such as sprouting walnuts.

Children's senses can be stimulated just by putting nuts in glasses with water, and placing them on the windowsill. The nuts need fresh water every day, so that they don't rot. The nuts, which have dried out over the winter, soak up enough water to double their original weight; they become fat and heavy. Eventually they split open and -- surprise! -- the shoot peeps out.

They should then be planted carefully in flower pots with soil, so that the shoots stick out above the earth. Cover everything with damp leaves and take care that the new plant doesn't dry out. Children like to spray the surface of the soil with water from a spray bottle. In addition, you could cover the pot with clear plastic foil, but this should be removed from time to time so that mould and rot don't develop (in any case, the shoots need air).

It is essential, when working with living things, to give them regular, reliable care. If we take a living creature out of its natural surroundings to observe it, then we are responsible for its continuing existence. It is important to emphasise this principle to children: to value living things and developing life.

The best time to plant the seed in children for the correct care of plants and animals is when they are very young. For children this is hands-on bioethics in the truest sense.

When, after weeks of loving, observant care in the 'tree nursery' the young plants are strong enough, replant them in their proper natural surroundings. It is wonderful if one or more of the little trees can stay in the kindergarten or schoolyard. Otherwise, give them to friends or relatives for their gardens or they can find a spot in a school garden. Perhaps they can be given away at a school féte in return for a small contribution. Alternatively, see if you can take a field trip and, after consultation with the proper authorities, plant the little trees at the edge of a wood. In any case, it is good to be able to continue to watch them grow. We have a responsibility to make sure that all the plants we grow are well cared for.

From now on, during spring walks in the woods, the children will discover the shoots of different woodland trees and also of other plants; and they will want us to share in their delight in all that they discover.