Bonsai For Kids

Attila

Jim Stone's post prompted me to bring up this topic. His son is practicing bonsai from a young age and I think Jim is a lucky fella.

I hope that one day my son (who is 17 months-old) will get to like this art as much as I do.

I wonder what can we do for this to happen to our children?

And expanding the question, what can we do to get other people become passionate about bonsai? Not just getting a smile of approval, but actually getting them to love it.

Let's hear your opinion.

Regards,
Attila

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Carl_Bergstrom

Great question, Attila!

My daughter is 15 months, and I'd love to see her get the same sort of pleasure from bonsai that I do.

She and I spend a lot of time outside, looking at my trees. For her, touch is very important. I let her touch the leaves, feel the different textures of pine needles and maple leaves and juniper fans. She knows how be gentle, and we talk a lot about how you have to be gentle with the trees. Beyond that, though, I don't know whether there are other things I can do to encourage her.

Best regards,
Carl

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Adam_MA

Me for one, I get excited about something just by listening to someone who is truly passionate about it. I think just simply expressing to someone with words and gestures how much you love something is a good start. A lot of times seeing how happy something makes you is enough to pique that persons interest into trying it. If it makes someone else truly that happy why not try it out for yourself.
For children, if they show even the smallest hint of interest, you need to make a big deal out of it. Get them a nursery tree, let them style it under your guidance, and put them in total control of the tree's care. Kids are like sponges, and will absorb as much as you can send there way. Make special times to work on trees with them. Even if in the end they don't take to the world of bonsai, the time you had working together, and the one-on-one time with your kid will be more than enough reward.

Adam

bnsaijim

I have 4 kids.

My 17 year old daughter made one for an art project about 5 years ago (she chose to do it, probably figured it'd be easy and impressive). Her's is in a grow bed now recovering from not-so-benign neglect.

Recently she mentioned it and how she really liked things that flowered over the "green prickly kind". She's laid claim to "my entire pot collection when you die, Jimmy can have the trees..."

She enjoys making pots and playing with glazes- although she really needs technical perfection.

SO... some ideas

- like their gerbils, dogs, cats, etc. the novelty will wear off and the tree will be cared for by you- unless they see it frequently.

- they will remember it eventually and will expect to see it in good shape- this will re-awaken the enthusiasm all over again- for about 15 minutes...

- the tougher the species the better- i.e., tropicals, elms, etc.

- find out what they want - i.e. let them pick their plant ...

- sometimes they will get the most fun out of the associated accessories- the colored pots, mudmen, flowers, etc...

- beware: your child may be more of aperfectionist and will likely have less patience than you!

Jim Stone

Geodude

Whatever you do, don't take them to your club meeting until they are REALLY into it. My kids (10 and 7) dread the word "Bonsai" because I dragged them to club meetings and shows and they are bored to death at 'em.

Giving them a tree or two to care for is a great way to get them involved. Good luck.

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Paul

"Life will be sweet like a rhapsody
When I paint my materpiece"

bnsaijim

More ideas:

My eldest son saw us working on her tree- he'd have been about 4 or 5... wanted his own- I had just gotten done assembling a ficus wiandi forest and he spotted a spare tree...

Fun activities kids take naturally to-

- defoliation- cutting or pulling leaves off
- soil sifting
- pinching bud tips as long as their is no rhyme or reason

My other two sons (now 5 and 7) have watched their big brother getting quality time and by the age of 2 were bugging for their own trees. Right of Passage is at 3 y.o.- Mom lets them use safety scissors. Before that they get to pick at dad's trees, as directed, play with cut offs, etc.

So they get some thing they can trim on - i.e., a ficus nerifolia or something. They learn in small doses. Styling is usually limitted to clip and grow until at least 8 or 9 when they can handle aluminum wire byt hemselves and understand how to wire, with some guidance...

One thing is that it is THEIR tree. They kind of know what they want. Sometimes you have to ignore that ugly branch or root or keep the flowering wee that is growing there because THEY liek it and it's okay according to their rules. ;^) You can attempt some gentle subliminal guidance.

My boys go "urban collecting" wihth me now. Also fun to be outdoors etc. We pick the trees together and Dad does most of the work... It's really annoying when theirs live and yours don't.

They also like showing off. At a few HBS shows I and another Dad put together a table of just kids trees- sons, daughters, grands, nephews, etc. it was easy to fill a a 3x8 table just by inquiring. Name cards and ages also are good.

The added benefit is that adults are much less intimidated when they see kids doing it- and that it can be a family thing.

Jim Stone

Camay123

Well. I dont know for kids, but ill tell how I became interest in bonsai. My grabdfather was pretty good with flowers, he like tree especially maple, he was doing wood sculpting has a hobby. I use to spend some times with him while he was still alive. I had 8-9 years old. By that time, I was always drawing tree's on paper, in my school book. I did get bored with this, I lived my adolescence, and by the age of 20 years old, I started to be fascinated with tree , especially bonsai. Now im 24, and im unhappy during the winter because I cannot do horticulture or play with tree's.

I do hope, if I have children, that they will be interested.

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Lesley

My teenage daughters have claimed trees as their own, but only one has shown a real interest and absorption of info. She says she likes the art and helps me out from time to time. She has become my vacation water person and caretaker and is doing a good job too! When I die, she'll inherit them & she says gladly!


=('):

P.S. Great pointers for those with young kids Jim, thanks !!!!

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Ladybug

dbz12fan

I do not think that it is a good idea to try and force your kids into enjoying bonsai. Infants that start at a young age can be trained to love bonsai quickly, but if the child is past a certain age, you should let the child choose whether they like it or not. If they begin to take a liking to it, you should definately help them continue. Do not be saddened if they suddenly give it up. Children take on and give up hobbies very quickly.

Remember, what you think is fun and what your children think is fun could be totally different. Do not be one of the "football or baseball parents".

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Charles Bevan
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