In May 2024, Tong Lianmeng Shilu published an article in The Paper discussing recent developments in children’s labor education, exploring its practices and concepts, and considering how to build child-friendly cities that promote nature-based and playful learning.

Since the article’s release, we have been closely observing how children’s labor education activities are being implemented across different levels. This paper highlights selected case studies from Nanning, Quzhou, and Yibin, representing children’s labor education practices at the city, school, and community levels, respectively. The aim is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of children’s labor education and to promote its importance across various contexts.

Nanning: Children’s Labor Education at the City Level

On September 21st, the Nanning Women’s Federation held the “Celebrate the Harvest, Promote Harmony” event for the 2024 Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival and Grain Conservation Promotion at the Nanyun Melon, Grain, Fruit, and Vegetable Planting Demonstration Base in Xinjing Town, Yongning District. Fifteen families with children participated in the event, where the kids were able to experience firsthand the modern advancements and diverse features of agriculture in Nanning.

During the event, women entrepreneurs from the “Nanning Women in Rural Revitalization” project shared their startup journeys and achievements, allowing children to learn about the challenges of entrepreneurship and the value of hard work. Agricultural experts offered educational explanations on modern agricultural technology and showcased various agricultural products, helping children understand the sources and growth of the food they eat and experience the joy of a bountiful harvest.

In an interactive segment with prizes, children enthusiastically took part in a Q&A session about conserving food and participated in a pledge-signing activity. Many expressed their commitment to saving food and developing good eating habits in their daily lives.

At the melon planting base, agricultural experts explained the steps and key points of fruit harvesting, then encouraged the children, together with their parents, to collaborate and experience farm work. The fields were soon filled with laughter and cheers as they worked together.

Looking ahead, the Nanning Women’s Federation plans to continue related activities, actively promoting knowledge about food security and encouraging young people to engage with agriculture. The goal is to inspire young “grain-saving advocates” to actively support, practice, and lead the movement in conserving and cherishing food.

Quzhou: Children’s Labor Education at the School Level

Since the “Double Reduction” policy was implemented to ease students’ academic burdens, Anren Central Primary School in Gaojia Town, Qujiang District, has actively explored innovative educational approaches by utilizing local rural resources to establish a labor practice base known as “One Acre and Three Parts of Land.” After three months of cultivation, the rice matured in July, and students returned during the summer break to learn how to harvest rice using traditional farming tools in their “Three-Parts Rice Experimental Field.” This immersive rural classroom allowed them to learn farming skills, understand the difficulties of agricultural work, and develop an appreciation for the value of labor.

Anren Central Primary School brought the rice fields directly onto campus, allowing students to engage in hands-on labor classes that combine theoretical learning with practical experience. Beyond transplanting rice seedlings, students took part in irrigation, weeding, fertilization, and pest control, gaining a full understanding of the rice growth cycle. They recorded their observations using various methods, including illustrations, videos, and detailed notes.

Moving forward, the school aims to continue leveraging the experimental field to integrate traditional farming practices with other subjects, aligning with nature-based curricula. By immersing students in agricultural activities, the school fosters a direct connection with nature and helps agricultural education take root. This hands-on experience allows students to appreciate both the hardships and joys of labor, encouraging them to value the hard-working spirit of farmers and to develop lasting habits of conserving food and loving work from an early age.

Yibin: Children’s Labor Education at the Community Level

The “Children’s Home” in Yanjia Community, Yongxing Town, Cuiping District of Yibin City, recently organized a hands-on labor practice activity for 29 children. Wearing hats, the children enthusiastically worked in the peanut fields. After their efforts, they harvested a total of 15 kilograms (30 jin) of peanuts. Once home, they washed the peanuts thoroughly and set them out to dry in the sun. The renovation of the paths and surrounding areas of this older residential community made the space safer and more child-friendly, addressing both safety and sanitation concerns. The improved environment offers meaningful experiences for children and provides a better travel and living experience for over 3,000 students and more than 2,000 local residents.

Interestingly, these peanuts were planted earlier in May by the same group of children. They managed the entire process—from sowing seeds and watering to fertilizing, plant care, harvesting, and cleaning—all by themselves. Throughout this journey, they not only learned about the growth process of peanuts but also gained a deep appreciation for the effort involved in agricultural work and the satisfaction of harvesting. The peanut-picking activity was more than just outdoor labor; it was an engaging learning experience, helping the children understand the deeper meaning of the saying, “Every bit of food comes from hard work.”

The community has dedicated two acres of land specifically for the children to cultivate various crops, including not only peanuts but also chives, cabbage, red-stem amaranth, and other vegetables. Since 2024, Yanjia Community has organized 118 practical labor activities, such as stir-frying vegetables, making dumplings, and wrapping buns. These hands-on experiences allow children to actively participate in labor, fostering a love for work and an appreciation for life.