“In every gardener is a child who loves to play in the dirt. In every child is a gardener ready to grow.”
It is never too early, or too late to teach a child to garden. The quality time spent with children in the garden is something they will remember for years to come. I remember my childhood gardens. My family rented a small plot in a neighborhood community garden. I remember riding my bike to the garden and having to help with the gardening chores. I feel this experience helped me learn responsibility and gave me a better appreciation for gardening.
Gardening gets children out of the house and outside with nature. Spending time in nature has many benefits for both physical and emotional well being. Gardening provides children with skills that are essential for both physical and mental growth and developmental .
According to an article published by Michigan State University Extension gardening with small children is great for developing motor-skills, introducing sensory stimulation, encouraging cognitive development, and creating lasting memories that build strong bonds. Gardening also introduces children plant vocabulary that works on literacy and builds strong reading and writing skills.
There is also the element of healthy eating. Gardening can help us make better food related health decisions. Studies have shown that people who grow their own food will make better health decisions when it comes to what food goes on their dinner table. This is true of children as well. When children have access to fresh vegetables right from the garden they will opt for healthier snacks.
If you like to give your child more outdoor experiences, gardening is a great option. Children can benefit from gardening in many ways. Gardening can help teach children delayed gratification. Teaching patience can help children learn to wait for things that are important instead of reaching for instant gratification.
Gardening teaches children coping skills and self-control. When things do not go a child's way they all too often have difficulty expressing their emotions. By learning coping skills and self-control it may be easier for children to learn how to express emotions.
Gardening is fun. Children love to learn new skills. These skill lead to better childhood development. So start planning that garden as way to spend quality time with your children and help in their overall development in the process.