It’s never too early to learn how to grow your own food, as demonstrated by the ‘Muddy Boots’ group, which is run by TCV as part of the Food Champions project in Leicester. The group for pre-school children and their parents meets fortnightly at the Community Allotment, and encourages families to get out in the fresh air and enjoy what nature has to offer. Children take part in activities such as planting seeds, building scarecrows, and harvesting and eating produce from the allotment. There is also lots of opportunity for free-play, exploring the natural world and generally having great fun getting muddy.
Emily Crofton, a TCV volunteer and mum of three, says ‘Most other playgroups we go to involve sitting in a community hall while the children play with lots of noisy plastic toys. Muddy Boots is completely different, much more gentle and natural. The children and the parents absolutely love it!’
The youngest attendee of Muddy Boots is only 8 weeks old; is he the youngest ever TCV participant?