Cultivating Little Mates: How Friendship Flowers Blossom at Daisy Lane
February in Queensland sets the stage for little hands to get busy in the garden, growing more than just plants. At Daisy Lane Early Learning, we help children build teamwork, empathy, and a connection to nature.
Why Garden Learning Matters for Young Children
Nature-based learning offers fantastic benefits for early childhood development. According to Queensland Government research, outdoor play and gardening help children develop:
Physical skills through digging, planting, and watering
Scientific thinking involves observing plant growth
Social skills through working together
Emotional well-being and connection to nature
Environmental awareness and responsibility
The Early Years Learning Framework highlights how children learn through connection to their environment, making garden activities ideal for quality early education.
February: The Perfect Time for Queensland Gardens
February in South East Queensland brings warm temperatures and afternoon rain, creating excellent conditions for growing. For child-friendly plants, consider these February favourites:
Fast-Growing Friendship Flowers
Sunflowers – tall, cheerful, and quick to sprout
Marigolds – bright colours and simple care
Zinnias – vibrant blooms perfect for sharing
Nasturtiums – edible flowers that children love to taste
Herbs for Sensory Learning
Basil
Mint
Parsley
Coriander
Buddy Planting System
Children pair up to plant and care for their own friendship garden bed, learning:
Cooperation – working together to dig and plant
Communication – talking about watering needs and observations
Responsibility – sharing care duties
Empathy – supporting each other when plants need extra help
Friendship Flower Exchange
After blooms appear, children pick flowers to gift friends, developing:
Sharing and generosity
Emotional expression
Social bonds
Pride in their achievements
Garden Journals
Children document their plants’ growth through drawings and observations, building:
Early literacy skills
Scientific thinking and prediction
Fine motor development
Memory and reflection
Educational Benefits of Early Childhood Gardening
Research from Australian childhood experts shows that gardening with children builds:
STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, maths)
Language development through descriptive vocabulary
Mathematical concepts (measuring, counting, patterns)
Understanding of life cycles and seasons
Healthy eating habits when growing food
Creating Your Friendship Garden at Home
Brisbane families can extend garden learning at home:
Choose a small space – even a pot on a balcony works
Plant fast-growing varieties – quick results maintain interest
Make it social – invite friends over for planting days
Use child-sized tools – safe, manageable equipment
Water together – create a daily routine
Visit Brisbane City Council’s Gardening Resources for more local tips suited to our climate.
Cultivating Connections Through Nature-Based Education
At Daisy Lane Early Learning, our outdoor programme goes beyond traditional childcare. We use Queensland’s beautiful climate to create meaningful learning experiences where children develop friendships while nurturing living things.
Garden learning supports emotional well-being through nature while building the foundation for lifelong learning. When children work together to grow plants, they’re also growing important social skills that will serve them throughout life.
Join our growing community in Drewvale:
📍 4 Buckley Drive, Drewvale, QLD, 4116
📞 07 2802 5430
✉️ enrolments@daisylaneearlylearning.com.au
Visit our website to learn more about how we blend nature play with quality early childhood education in Brisbane’s southern suburbs.
