5 ) Gardening connects children with nature .
When children garden , they gain ownership in what they are cultivating . I have seen my own children grow “ attached ” to the plants in the containers on our patio garden . As children become more knowledgeable about all the living things in the garden , they are less likely to be afraid of touching the plants , getting soil on their hands , or being near bugs . They are no longer afraid of the unknown when they become familiar with what is in the garden .
6 ) Gardening helps relieve stress for the whole family .
A garden can be therapeutic . Not that your fourth grader is battling traffic , raising children , and feeling the demands of a pressure-ridden job , but even kids can feel stress , and the garden is good for eliminating it . In fact , a study in the Netherlands showed that after 30 minutes of gardening , subjects who had shown stress before they gardened had a “ fully restored ” positive mood . And if the adults in the family are feeling stressed , and they garden with their children , it can help the whole family feel more harmonious .
7 ) Gardening teaches kids to problem-solve .
“ When they garden , children learn problem-solving skills ,” Tovi says . “ They say ‘ This trellis doesn ’ t work very well . How can we make one that will better support this kind of plant ?’”
In a garden , children ask questions like “ What is eating this plant ?” or “ Is this tree dying ?”
Once children become absorbed in solving the problems in a garden , they want to research to find the best answers . “ They become sleuths , starting in the garden and heading into the computers ,” Tovi says .
8 ) Gardening is a good work out .
Gardening is good physical labor involving muscles that don ’ t always get a workout . Even the most seasoned gym-goer may admit to being sore the day after working in a garden . Gardening involves stretching , bending , digging , lifting , pulling , and raking . Gross and fine motor skills are used , and even the youngest gardener with simple tasks gets physical activity .
9 ) Gardening helps children become environmental stewards .
When children start reaping the food and flowers that come from a garden , they realize a garden ’ s impact on them and their impact on the garden . Once they have this tangible experience , it is much easier to teach them to care for the environment .
10 ) Gardening can lead to a longer life .
Studies show that adults who garden in their later years live longer . Instead of living a sedentary life , gardeners get off the couch and are active in nature . Teaching children good habits when they are young will make them more likely to follow them through life .
Sow the seeds of a garden with your child today , and see them reap the benefits for a lifetime .
Creative Theme Gardens to Grow with Kids
These interesting themes are a great way to inspire children to garden .
Pizza Garden - Grow all the herbs to add to a pizza . For an extra touch , make the garden round like a pizza .
Fairy Garden - This garden includes both plants and miniature structures and is a great place for your child ’ s imagination to grow .
Pollinator Garden - Build a garden that attracts butterflies , bees , birds , bats and other insects and animals that will help pollinate plants . Try planting milkweed , zinnias and snapdragons .
Herb Garden - Herb gardens are a great way to foray into the world of gardening . They can be grown inside or outside and include plants such as basil , oregano , sage , thyme , parsley and many more .
Art Garden - Students can grow flowers and plants that can be used to make art , or grow a garden of plants for kids to sketch .
Peter Rabbit Garden - Grow the vegetables found in Mr . McGregor ’ s garden . The great thing about this garden is that you can grow some of the vegetables – carrots , lettuce , radishes and cabbage – in cool weather , so you could continue to garden into fall .
Salsa Garden - Grow tomatoes , peppers , and onions to make a delicious salsa .
Wildflower Garden - Visit a nature preserve to discover the native wildflower plants in your area . Then build a garden with those flowers .
Three Sister ’ s Garden - Teach children about plants that grow well together , like corn , beans , and squash , by cultivating the three in one mound .
Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist , a certified elementary school teacher who has experience teaching gardening to students , and mother of two . If you ’ d like to learn more about the school garden movement , visit https :// kidsgardening . org /.
June 2018 WNY Family 11