It’s spring again! The world is getting a little greener and the plants start to grow again. High time to make the classroom greener too! Read here how you can make your classroom and your children’s fingers a lot greener. But to avoid insects bite you to get rid of a plant pest, visit cyclamen mites for more details.
Easy peasy plants
No green fingers? It does not matter. It is not at all difficult to take care of plants in the classroom. There is a very easy to care for plant species: the cactus! At stores like Dille & Kamille and HEMA you have them in all shapes and sizes, and for a low price. They look great in the classroom and these plants need little water. Bonus point for the cactus: Children quickly learn that touch has consequences.
Air-purifying plants
Not only do plants create a nice atmosphere in the room, but there are also a number of plants that simultaneously purify the air. How nice is that in a room with about thirty creatures breathing in and out? Take the spoon plant (Spathiphyllum), for example, which is also very easy to care for. He indicates immediately when he needs care and only needs water once a week. Oh yes, you cannot drown this plant with too much water. Ideal!
Succulents
Succulents come in all shapes and sizes. The nice thing about this plant is that it is easy to propagate once it has grown a little. Take, for example, a pancake plant, of which you can easily make more plants with some cuttings. Equally a fun project for the children.
Ecosystem
Do you not like putting real plants in the classroom, afraid that they will not survive? Then take a self-sufficient plant: an ecosystem in a pot. You don’t have to water, so it couldn’t be easier. And if you still feel like putting in a little more effort, create a mini-ecosystem with the children.
Vegetables and fruits
When the children have brought peppers to school as a healthy snack, for example, you can collect, dry, and plant the seeds. You can also let the children take the kernel of an avocado or the kernel of pepper to school, in order to grow a plant there. Getting really fruit is not the goal, but of course, it is fantastic when such a small seed becomes a beautiful plant.
Proven Effects
Research shows that a plant wall in the classroom has a positive effect on the self-image and concentration of the children. Other studies of plants in the classroom also show that students in classrooms with plants performed better on tests for creative and problem-solving behavior. An Australian study even shows significant improvements in language and numeracy skills. Perhaps this does not apply to every student, but if it does not help, it does no harm.
Silencer
A little less known fact about plants, but no less true: plants are sound-absorbing! Ideal in a classroom with usually a lot of noise. You must, however, bring more than one plant into your home, otherwise, it will not be of much use.
Good for mental health
Plants radiate tranquility, which makes the children more relaxed. Plants can also make you feel more positive and clear your mind. What are you waiting for?
Vacation
Do you expect that your plants will not survive the holiday periods in the classroom? You can put a stop to that! The old system of giving a student a plant home every holiday works, of course. But how often do they not come back with a brand-new plant? Nowadays there are drip systems that can provide your plant with water for a longer period of time. So that is no longer an excuse.
Into the wild
Take the children outside for an afternoon and let them collect cuttings from plants. Then they put them in pots in class. It is then useful to stock up on a bag of potting compost. You can let the children bring their own pots from home. Think jars of peanut butter, chocolate spread, pasta sauce, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or pesto. Nice and sustainable! Of course, you ask them to clean the pots well in advance.
Sense of responsibility
By taking care of plants with the whole class you create a shared sense of responsibility. Together you must ensure that the plants continue to live. In this way, the children learn early on what it is like to take care of something alive. As a teacher, you learn a lot about your students at the same time.
