Vegetables Picked by Little Hands on the 'Kkoma Nongbu' Table... Kindergarten's Farming Experience Education Method

Gyeongnam Gimhae-si Maehwa Sup Kindergarten Director Baek Gyeong-mi's 'Right Table, Right 100 Years' Education Promotion Draws Attention

Children of Maehwa Forest Kindergarten harvesting sweet potato vines in the garden. (Photo by Maehwa Forest Kindergarten)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hwang Choi Hyun-joo] About ten kindergarten children were gathered closely around a table under a jujube tree in the garden, busily picking up the vegetables piled on the table.

It was the exciting lunchtime of the "little farmers" who had been digging in the garden with their tiny hands just moments ago. The children were holding forks and eating the vegetables they had harvested themselves, such as lettuce and perilla leaves. Until the meal ended, the word "delicious" echoed like a round song.

Although they might hesitate to eat vegetables, being accustomed to the taste of meat, ham, and instant processed foods, such scenes are absent among the children of Maehwa Sup Kindergarten. The natural ecology learning activities conducted independently by the kindergarten have changed the children's taste buds to be "fresh and crispy." The children have also developed the concept that vegetables are essential to eat along with meat.

Maehwa Sup Kindergarten and Maejeongyeon Daycare Center, located in Gusan-dong, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, have been conducting forest experience natural ecology education with the children as the main characters since 2015.

All 112 kindergarteners and 107 daycare children here have been engaged in about 30 minutes of gardening "farm work" daily for the past three years. The nearby 100-pyeong (approximately 330 square meters) garden is home to about ten types of crops, including eggplants, pumpkins, and peppers, cultivated using eco-friendly farming methods.

Principal Bae Gyeong-mi of Maehwa Sup Kindergarten conceived and promoted these experiential activities because she wanted the children to eat food grown as naturally as possible. She also hoped that through this, the children would independently feel the importance of proper character and nature.

She is spreading education on "Proper Table, Proper 100 Years" through these experiential activities. She said that related government agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and local governments have shown interest for quite some time.

Principal Bae said, "I was thinking about how to help children grow up with healthier bodies and proper thoughts, so I decided to try gardening experience activities." She added, "All the vegetables grown here are tended daily by our children as 'little farmers,' and the dishes made from the harvested vegetables are donated to nearby senior centers and community centers."

Baekgangmi, Principal of Maehwa Forest Kindergarten. (Photo by Asia Economy)

The children took charge of everything from stepping on the soil and sowing seeds to cultivation under the guidance of teachers in the garden.

During this process, the children keep a "farmer's diary." They learn how vegetables are good for the body and which dishes can be made tastier. They also cook using the harvested vegetables or share them with their families.

The experiential activities are open not only to the children but also to their parents. Parents can participate in gardening experiences with their children every first and second semester. Thanks to this, it has become an opportunity for parents and children to become emotionally closer.

This year, they tried to increase gardening activities with parents and provide more children with experiential opportunities, but it was not possible. The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) disrupted these plans. Principal Bae, as well as the children and parents, all felt regretful.

Principal Bae said, "Natural ecology learning such as gardening experience may seem small, but it can instill great educational values." She added, "Every time I feel that the children themselves are establishing quality food habits and proper values, I realize that the reward and joy of education are close at hand."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.