Before the summer sunshine arrived, the children at Spateston began a very special project rooted in curiosity, care, and connection with the natural world. Inspired by the cycles of growth and change, they each planted their very own potatoes, using a method called chitting reusing old potatoes to sprout new life. This hands-on experience began with a simple act observing the small green shoots emerging from wrinkled old potatoes. But oh, how it grew! The children watched with wonder as their plants stretched toward the sun, patiently waiting for the day they could dig deep into the soil and discover what lay beneath.
And that day finally came.
Armed with buckets, spades, and a sense of excitement, the children harvested their potatoes, comparing sizes, shapes, and colours. “Mine is round like a marble!” one child exclaimed. “This one’s shaped like a heart,” said another. There was even a flurry of discussion around a few potatoes with a slightly pink tint leading to questions, theories, and collaborative research into soil types and potato varieties.
With their harvest proudly gathered, the learning moved from the garden to the social zone. Here, the children explored: What can we make with potatoes? Books were opened, internet searches made, and family recipes shared.
The spirit of inquiry was alive and well when one child asked:
“Do my potato scones for breakfast actually have potato in them?”
What a question! The group gathered to find out and to everyone’s delight, yes, they do! This discovery sparked a new idea: Let’s make our own potato scones!
The kitchen quickly filled with energy, flour, and the warm smells of learning. Rolling, mixing, shaping every child had a role to play. But one child gently reminded the group:
“It’s not Sunday breakfast if you don’t have a morning roll!” And so, in true Spateston style, another team got to work in the bakery section of the kitchen, measuring, kneading, and baking their own fresh rolls to accompany the scones.
From seed to soil, from question to creation, this journey reflected everything we value a child-led, inquiry-rich experience where nature, community, and creativity come together.
What began with a humble old potato became a celebration of growth, wonder, and shared discovery.
