The Importance and Benefits of Teaching Gardening to Children

Most parents withhold their children from gardening, probably because of the mess they create with the soil, or they feel that they are too young for it.

However, children from as early as toddlers benefit from gardening in so many ways. They get to play and have fun while learning different skills that can spill over to other aspects of their lives. 

If you have been on the fence about introducing your children to gardening, here are some steps on how to start with gardening and also its importance for allowing them to do so.

Why is teaching kids gardening important? 

Start by searching online for some methods or activities you can do with kids

Depending on the age of your children, some activities can seem more fun as compared to others. There are also very useful books that will provide steps and activities that you can do with your kids. Some parents are not quite good at gardening themselves. However, it would be good if they would initially learn some things themselves and then transfer that knowledge to their kids in a proper way.

The second step is to decide what exactly to grow

If you live in an apartment and do not have a garden in the yard, then you should think of something that can be grown indoors and something that does not make a mess. You could consider home remodeling options that give you enough space to practice gardening inside. There are plenty of indoor plants you can choose from so feel free to experiment. However, if you have a garden, then this is perfect because you have much more space and also feel it totally different. The kids will be able to use the mud and simply experiment with plants because they won’t have to worry about making a mess as they would if they were indoors.
 

1. It teaches math, science, and technology  

Gardening involves so many aspects that teach the basics of science and math to the kids. Measuring the depth of the soil and the distance between crops as well as counting seeds and leaves helps kids learn some basics in math. Plants require light and water to grow. As kids water them, watch the seeds sprout, flower, and reach harvest time, it teaches them the science of plant growth.

Additionally, growing a garden doesn’t have to be outdoors. If you have limited space outdoors, you can always start growing crops indoors with the help of LED grow lights to provide light requirements. These artificial lights are configured to mimic the sun for all the spectrums that plants require. Using these lights will allow kids to learn the art of using technology to grow crops. Moreover, you can make use of a digital thermostat that provides constant optimal temperatures for all kinds of plants and seeds.
 

2. It encourages kids to eat healthy foods

If you are like most parents, you can attest that getting kids to eat healthy foods is such a struggle. Involving them in growing these foods helps kids create a connection with these foods. As they watch the food grow to a ripe age, considering the hard work that they have put in in the process, they gain an interest in preparing meals and eating them as well. Gardening with your kids could be a solution to introducing them to leading healthy lifestyles.

3. It teaches patience, responsibility, and the value of hard work

We are living in a digital era where most of us expect instant gratification. Unfortunately, we are raising kids who have shorter attention spans and no patience. It is the dream of every parent to raise a well-rounded child, and gardening could just be the solution.

Your children will have the chance to watch and wait for the plants to grow from seedlings, which will instill a sense of patience in them. They will see all the hard work that goes into it, and learn that all good things come after working hard for them. Assigning their tasks will teach them responsibility.

4. It helps in sensory and skills development

Gardening involves different senses, which allows the kids to exercise and develop them in the process. As they see and touch the soil, seeds, and flowers, they are exercising their senses of touch and sight. They can also smell the scents of the flowers, which helps develop their sense of smell.

Additionally, as they identify the different tools, they are developing their cognitive skills. Gardening also involves moving the body and coordinating hands and eyes. This helps them develop their motor and coordination skills.

5. It helps alleviate stress

Being around nature has been proven to create a calming effect on the mind. As people connect with nature, the release of feel-good hormones is promoted, making people feel happy with high spirits. This allows a good way to forget about what is stressing them.

Adults are not the only ones to experience stressful situations, childhood stress is also very present. It is even worse in kids as they lack the knowledge of how to handle it. Allowing them a few minutes around the greenery in a garden goes a long way in relieving stress. 

6. It instills a sense of accomplishment and purpose

Many people struggle in finding a sense of purpose in their lives. Teaching kids gardening from an early age let them know that they can be good at something. Knowing that the plants are depending on them for growth instills a sense of purpose. When the plants grow and bloom, kids feel accomplished and confident about their hard work.

Conclusion

There are so many kids who can learn from gardening as they grow. As seen above, it helps nurture well-rounded human beings with the tolerance to handle what life throws at them. Besides, we all know that finding time to bond with children is hard to come by in this fast-paced era. Gardening with them allows you to create memorable moments with them.