The Benefits Of Gardening With Kids
If you’re looking for ways to get your kids active and interested in an easy, low-maintenance hobby, gardening could be the answer. There are endless benefits of gardening with kids that will not only keep them busy but also inspire them to grow as a person. Whether your child has just started showing an interest in plants or wants to learn more about gardening and plant care, it’s a great activity for them to participate in together. Here are five reasons why you should get your kids involved in gardening:
It’s Good For Their Eyes
Gardening can improve your child’s vision as well as increase their eye-hand co-ordination. It’s recommended that you keep the gardening area shaded to prevent overexposure to strong sunlight. Keeping your child’s hands and eyes free from dirt and grime will also greatly improve their sight. This is especially important for children with eye problems such as meibomian gland secretion and keratoconus. Gardening can also help your child’s eyes develop a love for seeing things, such as plants and nature. While your child should be encouraged to take pictures and draw pictures of their gardening experience, getting your child outside and seeing gardening in action is what’s important.
It’s Good For Their Brain
While it might sound like a stretch, there is evidence that gardening is actually good for your child’s brain. Gardening can improve your child’s memory and cognitive function by giving their brains a healthy dose ofoxygen-rich blood flow. It can also improve their problem-solving skills as they try to figure out how to grow plants and maintain their health. Gardening can also improve your child’s attention span, helping them stay on task and focused on the task at hand. It’s important to note that children under the age of 5 should not attempt to grow plants that are harder to grow, like some orchids and carnivorous plants, or they may have serious difficulties.
It Can Be Fun
Having fun while gardening with kids is a great way to get them interested in the activity. It doesn’t have to be a chore. Kids might enjoy helping to water the plants, feeding them or adding soil to the garden plot. You can also try gardening activities that don’t involve plants, like planting seeds in pots and seeing what grows, building a compost bin to create nutrient-rich soil or installing a rain barrel to collect water. You can even try a gardening activity that doesn’t involve the garden at all. Have your child help you store and organize the house. Gardening can help your child develop important life skills like organization, teamwork and responsibility. It can also help your child develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them, including plants and animals.
It’s Stress Relieving
Many people worry that gardening will make your child anxious as it can be a very stressful activity. This is not necessarily the case. If your child is easily stressed, gardening can help them de-stress as it’s a low-key activity that doesn’t involve competition or getting an “A” grade. Your child can focus on the task at hand without having to worry about impressing other people, such as their parents or others who may be watching them. If your child is not stressed but is feeling overwhelmed by their daily life, gardening is a great way to break away from the stress.
You Can Share The Benefits With Others
Gardening is also a great way to share the benefits of plants with others. If your child loves animals such as dogs or cats, they can create a wildlife garden with bird feeders and a water source such as a birdbath. If you have a large family, you can create a community garden with plots for individuals or a plot for everyone to share. You can even grow plants that have medicinal properties and make them available for others who may be looking for advice about herbal remedies. Growing plants for others can be a rewarding experience for both you and your child.
Conclusion
Gardening is a great activity for kids of all ages that can be as low-key or intense as your child likes. It’s a great way to get your child outside, build confidence and feel like they’re contributing to their community. It’s also a great way for you to spend time together and bond as a family. If your child is interested in gardening, there are plenty of ways you can get involved, too. Simply being interested in gardening with your child can help you both grow as people.
