Teaching young children about farming is important for all kinds of reasons. It can give them a better appreciation of where food comes from and the effort that goes in to producing it. Additionally, it could encourage the next generation to work in agriculture. The perfect thing to do is start early with farm toys. They are the ideal way to show children all the various jobs farmers do.
With all the cold weather and snow we’ve had recently, it’s a great time to teach children specifically about the winter jobs to do on farms. This is a tough season for animals, even when the weather is better. So, much of the focus is on ensuring they are comfortable and healthy. Routine maintenance is essential too. Let’s dive in.
Day to day
Farmers need to do a number of key things on a daily basis during winter. The most critical tasks include checking water and feed to ensure animals have enough. If there have been sub-zero temperatures, make sure water isn’t frozen. If farmers have egg laying animals, it is vital to be proactive in winter. Collect eggs as early as possible to ensure there is no risk of them freezing.
Playing with farm toys is a great way to show children all these day to day winter jobs. You can give them a better idea of how important it is to keep an eye on animals during cold weather, especially food and water.
Weekly
While daily tasks mainly focus on animal wellbeing, every week farmers need to consider bigger issues. This includes the condition of buildings. Winter weather, especially if there is ice and snow, can damage structures. So, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of inspecting roofs and walls. Look for leaks and draughts, fixing any that need urgent attention.
Keeping animals warm is vital in winter too, especially during cold snaps like the recent one. Therefore, on a weekly basis it’s a good idea to check bedding and top it up. This includes in stalls, coops, and nesting boxes. If buildings are incredibly cold, it may be wise to invest in heat lamps. However, if you do plan on this, make sure you use them safely and don’t risk causing a fire.
Another thing to do each week is check for pests, particularly small rodents. They’ll be looking for warm places with an abundance of food. This includes your stores, barns, and buildings. Be particularly careful with feeds in storage; you should protect them from pests, damp and mould. You can easily create scenarios here with farm toys to show children how important it is.
Monthly
Finally, there are some jobs farmers need to do each month in winter. For starters, it’s a good idea to do an inventory of supplies, including feed and bedding. This can help to plan purchasing decisions.
The messiest but most crucial monthly job is cleaning out animals. This is vital for ensuring they are healthy. During winter there is a higher risk of disease when animals are indoors and have less space to play with. So, it’s wise to do a deep clean every month, especially of stalls and coops.
Farm toys can give children a life-long appreciation of farming
The great thing about playing with children is you can help them to learn while they enjoy themselves. Choosing the right toys and scenarios is vital here. It’s a good idea to think about their age and how safe different types of toy are. Be careful with things like small moving parts.
If you specifically want high quality farm toys, we have some fantastic ones at JS Hubbuck Ltd. We stock products from Bruder, one of the most reputable names if you want realism. Their vehicles are great scale models and move just like the real thing. So, they are fun to play with and informative too. Get in touch today if you want details.