Gardening with children can have many benefits, both now and in the future. Taking the time to get children involved in a garden will improve their lives and build a strong relationship between them and nature. Being outside, in a garden, benefits children in so many aspects of their lives. Here are just a few of the positives gardening can bring.
Science of Gardening
In a garden, children are surrounded by teaching moments. The life cycle of various plants, the importance of worms and certain insects, even human activities can help or harm plant growth. Without needing a textbook or a computer, children can learn many things about the world by watching and investigating.
Relaxation in a Garden
Children today are just as stressed as their parents. There are ever increasing school loads with fewer and fewer break times, multiple activities, and extended responsibilities. It seems counter-intuitive to add one more task to their already busy day. However, gardening with children has been shown to have a calming effect. Instead of being caught up in the rush of day to day life, slowing down to connect with nature can add a much needed space to relax.
Better Health Through Gardening
Too many children are becoming overweight and unhealthy. An over abundance of cheap, unhealthy food options added to increased screen time with computers and video games equals children in need of an intervention. Gardening can be just that. Spending time outside, walking, bending, and moving, is a great way to add exercise in a fun way. Parents can help their child plant a vegetable garden and watch how much easier it becomes to feed children healthier food choices. When kids spend time and energy growing the vegetables they are more eager to eat them.
Appreciation of Life
Watching a seed grow into a plant is one of the miracles of life. Children who garden learn to appreciate their plants and the things that went into growing that life. Water, sunlight, dirt, and care are seen as necessities both in the plant world and the human one. Weeding can lend a chance to discuss negative influences and what they can do. Gardening with children gives them a way to love the simple things that make up life.
Quality Family Time in a Garden
Gardening does not have to be just for children. When the entire family works in the garden together there is a chance for the family to bond and become closer. Siblings learn to work together and get along, parents can make up for lost time during the week days, and even extended family members can connect by spending time each week helping to pull weeds.
Gardening is a wonderful way to enhance any child's life. The benefits of working in a garden extend over so many areas of a child's life, it seems silly not to take advantage of the opportunity gardening can bring.
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