meaningful work
Posted by lapazfarm on October 20th, 2006 filed in JBug, Random RamblingsThere has been some interesting discussion (as usual) on the 4reallearning boards about the benefits of allowing children the opportunity for meaningful work. With older children like Superboy it is easy. He is my number one choreboy and is capable of doing just about anything I can do-and often more. But how do we include our little ones who need so much supervision that it is often easier to do the task ourselves? Where do we find the opportunities for them to perform meaningful work, rather than just keeping them busy? Well…when one has a farm, these opportunities exist in abundance-even on a small scale farm like ours. And JBug always surprises me with her abilities and willing attitude. With my right hand man gone all this week, she has actually been quite helpful!
Take this morning for instance. (I took the camera along on my morning barn chores so that I could catch JBug in action to show you what I mean.)
After I scoop the feed into buckets, she can carry them into the barn
and place them in front of the correct stall (by the color of the bucket she knows whose feed is whose) .
While I feed the horses and pick out the stalls, JBug helps by bringing fresh shavings from the pile.
She can’t quite handle the wheel barrow yet, so she fills a big bucket
and drags it into the aisle for me to dump into the cleaned stall.
It honestly isn’t much compared to the amount of shavings needed, but it is something, and it lightens my load a bit, so I am grateful.
She also very much enjoys raking the aisleway smooth. Something about those parallel lines all neat and tidy is very satifying to her and she would do it all day!
By then the horses are done eating and ready to go out. JBug knows she has to wait outside the barn while I let them out for safety reasons. But then she can help me shut the gate and enjoy watching them eat their hay.
This time of year is such a muddy mess! But JBug and I are headed back to the house to kick off our boots and have a warm cup of tea as a reward for our efforts!
Not a bad morning’s work for a 5 year old! The nicest thing about it is that she loves it and I never have to ask her twice to come and help me. I think she really wants to contribute and she is capable of more and more each day!
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My husband's new book!
October 21st, 2006 at 10:40 am
She is just such a doll
My Daisy Girl is 6-1/2 and she is more help to me than my two older kids combined!
Sherry
October 21st, 2006 at 3:06 pm
I love the pictures!
October 22nd, 2006 at 6:25 am
Beautiful pictures, Theresa! What a happy morning for a little girl - and her mom.
October 22nd, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Completely OT:
I saw this and immediately thought of Superboy and his naval obsession.
I haven’t seen it, but you may want to check it out.
October 22nd, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Thanks, Lynn. “Naval obsession” LOL! When I first read this I thought, “navel obsession” !!!LOL!!
October 22nd, 2006 at 9:21 pm
I am always so inspired by you.
Can you share the link to the real work discussion? I looked around a little on the forums, but I have overlooked it somehow.
October 22nd, 2006 at 11:43 pm
Wow, this is hard work, but what valuable training for a child! And what an incredibly beautiful place to grow up!
October 23rd, 2006 at 1:46 pm
What great pictures of your hard working little girl! High fives to her for a job well done!
(and I’m LOLing at the “navel obsession” too -that’s what I thought of first also.)
October 23rd, 2006 at 3:52 pm
She is just precious! I love to see little children seriously at work. Real life, real learning at best!
How did you find your horses? All the children want for Christmas is a horse, but our pocketbook is very thin this year. Any ideas? We have plenty of pasture, and a reasonably priced horse would be everyone’s dream come true.
October 23rd, 2006 at 4:27 pm
Louise,
I found my horses through various sources (hmm..that rhymes!) but where to look depends alot on your experience and knowledge of horses. The best place for a beginner to look is to go to a reputable stable and ask them to help you. Do you know what style of riding the children want to do (ie western or english)? I would find a stable where they can take a few lessons first to get a good feel for what they like and need before purchasing. Oh, and if money is tight, you may be able to find a horse for lease as an option. Just make sure that whatever you end up with, you try out the horse first (preferably on multiple occasions), and have a veterinarian check the horse before purchase. Good luck!