Library Flowers
Flower arranging was a part of daily life in my Montessori classroom, an experience of purposeful activity and sensorial discovery for the child that enabled them to care for the environment by bringing beauty and interest to the space.
Nowadays, I’m a member of a volunteer gardening group in my small town that cares for the natural spaces in our community and cultivates thoughtful gardens around town. I treasure these spaces, and part of valuing them means actively contributing to this work of care.
This summer, I signed up to arrange and deliver flowers to my local library each week as one small aspect of contribution. And the fulfillment that these ‘library flowers’ have brought me is significant. I delight in creating small arrangements and delivering them with a smile as I communicate my thanks to my librarians. I love thinking about library guests checking out a book and taking in the colors and forms of the flowers.
Naturally, I couldn’t help that this would be a wonderful experience to offer young children. I worry that children are not seeing adults engaging in care and thoughtful contribution to community. I worry that we aren’t making a concerted effort to appreciate the work of others, apart from a performative ‘thank you!’
Many of your children have spent abundant time engaging with libraries this summer.
Many spend plenty of time in them year-round.
A library is a space and source of learning, and it is also a place to gather and connect that offer profound benefits to children and adults alike.
Wouldn’t it be nice to share your appreciation for a space that offers so much to your child, and to you?
Wouldn’t it be a lovely way for your child to communicate appreciation and acknowledgment for the work of others?
You can do this at home anytime - pick flowers from your garden, or chose some at your local farmer’s market, Trader Joes, or a corner deli.
How to arrange flowers:
After procuring your flowers in the garden or otherwise, place or unwrap them and set them on a table or bucket to the side of your arranging space.
Set up a table with a flexible cutting mat to protect the surface, along with child-safe scissors, a bowl for clippings, a vase, and a sponge or paper towel.
Invite your child to fill the vase with you. Show your child how to measure the stem against the vase, choosing a height that you find pleasing, and then trimming the stem below your fingers to achieve that height. Place clippings in bowl.
Demonstrate consideration and take your time to show your child how to arrange the first few flowers and greens.
Invite your child to continue on with the arrangement. Do not scaffold or interject unless truly necessary.
Admire the final creation.
Clean up. Your child can empty the bowl of clippings, wipe off the scissors to clean and dry, and use the sponge or paper towel to dry the table.
Share with your library. Make this part special. Create a plan with your child for your visit. Discuss the details to build a sense of anticipation. Talk about when and how you will deliver them, to whom, where you will place them, what you want to communicate, etc.
Enjoy!