It is essential to teach our children about the environment and help them to understand the importance of protecting it. Involving children in environmental activities and teaching them about nature and the plants and animals around them is enjoyable for both parents and children. This is where gardening can come in! Kids love setting seeds and watching them grow and flourish. Why should you consider gardening for your children? The benefits of introducing gardening to children from a young age are many and we have detailed some of them below.

The Wonders of Science

Children can learn about the wonders of science, the life cycle of plants, how insects and other creatures interact in the garden and how humans can have both negative and positive effects on the environment. They can gain first hand experience of the miracle of life through setting seeds and watching them germinate and grow into healthy plants and flowers.

Life Lessons

Watching a seed grow into a plant or tree has all the same wonder to a child as the conception and birth of a baby. Children will develop a sense of how living things should be nurtured and treated with care. They will also learn of the things that are necessary for a healthy life and we can relate plants need for sunlight, water, nutrients and soil with our own, similar human needs. We can also teach them about avoiding bad influences by relating this to the necessity of weeding and preventing diseases and pests from damaging our plants.

Relaxation and Stimulation of their Senses

Children as well as adults need to be able to relax and spend time away from other duties. gardening has been effeectively used as a therapy for abused and neglected children and it can help to build up their self esteem. Disturbed children can find calm in gardening and being closer to nature.

Quality Time with the Family

Gardening can provide an excellent way of enjoying quality time with the family in  a much more healthy way than sitting slumped on the sofa watching TV! As a parent you can relax with the children in the garden, allowing the kids to get dirty and having an enjoyable time.

Healthy Outdoor Exercise

Many children are becoming overweight and suffering from poor health as a result of too much time playing video games and watching TV. An excellent way for them to enjoy the outdoors is to get them interested in gardening. Some children hate the idea of sports and this is an excellent alternative.

Conclusion

Gardening is not just for adults. Even very young children can gain many benefits from gardening and the whole family can benefit from this healthy pursuit.

Image by  Mr.Mac2009