My Child’s Preschool Confidence: The Changes I’ve Noticed Over Time

Meet Jayne, a mother and valued member of our fantastic Parent Panel*; a diverse community of Bright Horizons parents sharing their experiences of raising happy, thriving and confident children. In this blog, Jayne shares her experience of planting with her child.
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I have to admit, I’m not very green‑fingered. I love flowers and enjoy pottering about in the garden on a warm summer’s day, but the extent of my gardening expertise is pulling up a few weeds and mowing the lawn (although I much prefer it when my husband does it instead). I like the idea of growing things from scratch, but I’m not convinced I’m very good at it. Thankfully, my mum is a wonderful gardener and loves to get the kids involved. She often starts the sowing process for me, and I then try desperately to keep everything alive, knowing she’ll be checking its health status whenever she comes over to visit.

Keeping gardening low‑maintenance

As a small business owner and mum of three, I need my garden to be as low‑maintenance as possible. This year, however, my daughter specifically asked if we could grow something from scratch together. Oh no, I thought to myself, we’re going to need Nanna’s help. Thankfully, I spotted an all‑in‑one kit in my local supermarket, complete with seeds and soil that also forms its own little greenhouse. Phew. That felt much more within my skill set.

Why planting together matters

Like so many parents, I understand the importance of this activity, even if the realities of it can sometimes put people off. It’s a great opportunity to explain how plants grow and what they need to stay healthy. After all, who doesn’t remember growing cress in an empty yoghurt pot at school? I recall placing one pot in a cupboard and another on a windowsill to see the difference. Early science at its best. It’s also a real test of your child’s patience.

That patience is rewarded when children begin to understand that food and flowers don’t simply appear. They grow over time, with care and the right conditions.

A few years ago, when my eldest child attended our local Bright Horizons nursery, she proudly brought home a beautifully decorated tin can containing a sunflower seed as a Mother’s Day gift. It was such a lovely gesture, but I swear she asked every single day whether it had grown yet. When it finally sprouted, I felt a huge sense of relief knowing we had something to show for our efforts.

Watching care and curiosity grow

Seeing your child love and care for something really is worth it. She adored that sunflower, and the joy on her face when it grew tall and eventually flowered was incredibly rewarding. Questions like, “I wonder if it will grow taller than you?” made the experience even more magical.

Teaching children about plants and how things grow is a powerful way to nurture curiosity, responsibility and a deeper understanding of the natural world. It may seem like just a tin can with a seed in it, but it’s so much more than that. Helping children understand the world around them is an important lesson.

So, wish us luck this summer, as I attempt to grow more than just a sunflower from seed.