26 May Fun In The Sun: A Spotlight On Sunflowers

Enjoy the summer sun with this planting and playing project for you and your kids.

It’s that time of the year again: SUMMER! Along with it comes thoughts of the beach, ice cream, and of course, the long anticipated summer vacation. School’s out, and your kids will be home all day, ready to play. It’s a good opportunity to spend some time with them, and what better activity than planting and crafting flowers?

In this post, we will be focusing on sunflowers. Not only are sunflowers fantastic summer flowers, they also hold a special meaning. According to Native American tradition, sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty, and longevity. They are flowers of bright joy that stretch toward the sun. We hope that they will bring you and your child some brightness in your lives! Don’t feel limited to just sunflowers: you can do this activity with any flower you want. The idea is first you plant it, then you create it.

Activity 1: Planting Sunflowers

What You Need:

• Sunflower Seeds
• Container or area to plant seeds
• Soil
• Water

Some Background Information Before You Start…

• Best time to plant: The best time to plant sunflowers is the late spring, so right now!
• Big ones and little ones: There are two types of sunflowers: dwarf sunflowers and tall sunflowers. Dwarf sunflowers are better for planting in pots while tall sunflowers are better for your planting in your back garden. Check what kind of sunflower seeds you have before you plant them!

Grow your flower with a wish: Together with your child, prepare the soil where you will be planting your seeds, whether it is in a container or in your garden. Take a handful of soil and have your child make a wish. Plant the seeds, and ask your child to water everyday until you see a sprout! As the sunflower grows, remind your child of their wish and of how it’s growing toward the sun.

Making connections?—?we all need water to be strong and healthy: What connection could there be made with growing sunflowers? Actually, a sunflower is similar to your child: both need water to be strong and healthy. Also show them that while they care for the flower, they are similar to you, the parent. You care for your child and make sure they drink lots of water everyday and they do the same for the sunflower.

Learning the natural way: Hopefully, by learning to care for a flower, your child will learn both how fragile and beautiful life is, as well as a sense of responsibility. They, too, are like that sunflower seed, ready to blossom into a beautiful flower.

Activity 2: DIY Sunflowers

What You Need:

• Yellow Construction Paper
• Glue
• Picture of your child OR sunflower seeds (optional)

Make your flower petals: Using your hands, you and your child can make the petals for the sunflower. This step is for you to bond with your child and show them the value of cooperation.

Here are some ideas on how to accomplish this:

-Hook your hands by the thumbs and place them flat on the yellow construction paper. Ask your child to trace your hands onto the paper, then do the same for him or her.

-Hook your hand and your child’s hand together by your thumbs. Together, trace your connected hands onto the yellow construction paper.

By working together on this task, you can demonstrate to your child how much easier it is to cooperate with others. Make as many flower petals as you would like!

Glue your petals together in a circle to form a sunflower: As you glue the petals together with your child, you can explain the impact that your child can make. Glue the hands together by the palms so that the fingers are pointed out.

Ask your child to count the number of fingers in the flower.

Each finger represents one person that they are able to “touch” in their lives. Explain to them that there are millions of ways for them to help make the world a brighter place.

(OPTIONAL) Glue sunflower seeds in the center of the sunflower: Glue sunflower seeds in the center and tell them that they, like these seeds, are young and hold much potential for the future.

(OPTIONAL) Glue a picture of your child in the center of the sunflower: Place a picture of your child in the center and tell them that they, like a sunflower, can brighten up your day.

Good luck, and have fun planting!

Love, Gululu