Terrariums breed young eco warriors
For years, parents and teachers have faced the challenge of weaning a child or pre-teen away from social media. They tried to lure them away from gadgets, into the joy of reading books, painting, and playing with fellow kids.
Froilan Aloro, founder of TerraPlantae, is offering a solution: terrariums. The registered pediatric nurse has been teaching six-year-olds to pre-teens how to create their own terrariums. Instead of holding cellular phones, he has been guiding them in feeling the sand, earth, plants and small creatures in their hands. His four-year journey blossomed during the pandemic when plantito/plantita became a byword.
“Today’s kids educate their parents on the eco-system. They don’t mind handling small, creeping critters used in terrariums,” observes Aloro.
Terrarium work is not just a way for parents to shake off social media dependency. It’s also a means of exploring a child’s world without being obtrusive.
He has no problem letting them hold things their parents stay away from—an iguana or millipede—because Mom and Dad find them scary. Result: loving parents—albeit reluctantly—part with their cellular phone, take a deep breath, and use their bare hands to hold the slimy critters.
The bond is spontaneous—something money can’t buy. Aloro recalls how a nine-year-old boy and his dad spent two hours in his terrarium plant conference booth while engaging in animated talk. Dad ended up buying the child a starter terrarium kit.
The parent-child bonding usually happens weekends, mom and dad’s rest days. Terrarium work is not just a way for parents to shake off social media dependency. It’s also a means of exploring a child’s world without being obtrusive.
First, however, one needs a couple of things. On top of the list is a round glass container whose soft shape keeps kids from hurting themselves. Aloro says square containers are strictly for adults who can protect themselves from injuries due to sharp edges. One also needs a lid to protect the plants and insects from the elements.
He explains that goldfish containers won’t do because they’re not thick enough. Round terrarium containers one to three millimeters thick with cover are available online (Facebook: Terraplantae Gardening Services) and at Aloro’s store at 11 Manga Road, Zone 1, North Signal, Taguig.
Other musts (from the bottom up) are sand/pebbles/small rocks, charcoal and substrate or soil. Just as important are plants, moss, rocks, driftwood and fauna like isopods (babuy-baboy in Tagalog), springtails, millipedes, snails, and other insects. A lamp will provide the light to help grow terrarium plants indoors. Of course, water is essential to keep plants alive.
Most children love using their hands, even if their parents find it yucky to hold small insects and soil. So small gloves are fine. The kids can always wash their hands after.
When it comes to designing their terrarium, Aloro observes some children are more creative than adults. Unlike their busy elders, kids have all the time to think about where they can put sand and pebbles to mimic a mini Boracay.
Many enjoy looking for the best spot for snails, which they call Gary, the lovable snail in SpongeBob SquarePants. Aloro says snails—and other terrarium critters—become pets children love checking out now and then.
Thus, they learn to be more caring and responsible. After all, checking to see if terrariums get at least four hours of indirect light a day, if plants and insects are thriving, if the water is enough, and making sure the terrarium is covered, entail responsibility.
Designing terrariums also boosts creativity and self-esteem.
“The beauty of it all is there’s no right and wrong design, no formula. This prevents self-esteem issues among children who tend to compare their work with another,” observes Aloro.
No wonder schools include terrarium making in their science subjects. Teachers tell Aloro students go to school early to check their pets in the terrarium, which they leave in the classroom. They count snails, plants, and small insects in the container. And they come away with a smile on their face.
Children living in condos where space is limited can take care of terrariums in the comfort of home.
Hopefully, they will continue this love for plants when they grow up. They can also help their parents and older relatives to love plants as well.
In a world badly in need of young eco-warriors, this dream is something we must help fulfill. The next generation will thank us for it.