How To Introduce The Child To Gardening And Why Is It Necessary?

With the warmer weather returning, we all can't wait to get out into the open air to soak up the sun and the pleasant warmth. And since the energy of spring is contagious, children, like adults, are passionate about outdoor activities. When it comes to garden games, it's clear - there are dozens of them for children of all ages. But that's not the only way to have fun in the garden. Once spring returns, it's a good time to introduce the kids to gardening. But is it necessary and, if so, why? Gardening for children definitely has educational virtues, and that is not all. Read on to learn more about the topic.

Gardening for Children: What Principles Does It Teach Them?

From an early age, the child learns (from his parents at home and from his teachers in kindergarten) the importance of nature and assimilates the cycle of life. The kid realizes, in his own way, that the term “nature” refers to flowers, leaves, fruits and vegetables, insects and every little beast he sees in the garden. And since it is extremely important to encourage a child to develop his creativity and his curiosity and to express himself, let him get to know nature (by foraging in the earth, by getting his hands dirty, by rushing towards the puddles water and so on), turns out to be the most successful strategy.

Good habits are learned from an early age

Gardening for children is an activity that has something to offer children of all ages, provided they adopt the best approach, adapted, first of all, to their age group and needs, to their ability to learn. etc. Whatever your situation, know that introducing your child to gardening from an early age is exactly what specialists recommend. By closely examining the germination of seeds as well as the interplay between soil, water and climate, the child learns to understand nature. But one of the most important lessons he learned from this experience was patience.

As a bonus, introducing children to gardening allows them to move away from the multitude of screens which unfortunately are an integral part of everyday life for both adults and children.

As already mentioned, the age of a child is an essential factor to take into consideration before embarking on his initiation to gardening. The explanation is quite clear, if not obvious, to those of you who are blessed to have one or more children. Depending on the age, kids have different needs as well as a relatively short concentration time. It is important to take into consideration that the little ones, namely 5 years maximum, learn by touch.

Gardening by children's ages

So that gardening for children aged 3 to 5 goes smoothly and that they do not lose their patience, the right strategy is to prefer plants that germinate quickly. Feel free to introduce the kids to the whole experience, from start to finish. Sowing bulbs, watering them, caring for young plants, and so on, are some of the simple activities that will keep the attention of small gardeners.

Always curious and ready to touch anything, children from 5 to 8 years old have an already more advanced level of thinking and understanding. They have a lot of questions to ask and they are more patient while waiting for answers and explanations. The period is also ideal for empowering kids. For example, ensure the maintenance of their own gardening tools, take care of the plants they have planted, be aware of the change of seasons, examine the specific needs of plantations, etc. - this is what children learn from gardening.

In addition, gardening for children is also an activity aimed at introducing children to respect for the environment. By caring for any plants, either in pots or in the ground, kids will quickly learn what is needed for plants to thrive, what remedies are suitable for diseased plants, what is the role of insects for them. plantations etc.

You have a large garden or simply a small balcony in town: whatever your situation, you have the chance to introduce your child to gardening. A planter or a small vegetable patch will suffice. So, once the container and the type of garden have been determined, all you have to do is let your kid put his hands in the earth.

Gardening in the ground or in pots is always easy and fun

To encourage their participation, consider reserving a space of their own. Today you can buy children's gardening tools in the store. Adapted to the age of the little gardener, as well as his size and small hands, the special tools will help the kid to have better self-confidence, but also to feel responsible.

Gardening with a child is a wonderful endeavor that combines business with pleasure. But there are still some difficulties to be expected. From theory to practice, let's explore together the mistakes to avoid and the right path to follow.

First of all, gardening for children starts with explanations. Here it is the practice that matters most. As already explained, the child learns by touch, but not only. You have to show him what it is about. "Look, these are the roots that allow the plant to nourish itself, to develop and to stay fixed to the ground". “These are the leaves that help the plant breathe and get energy from the sun. "You know, the pot and the earth are the home of your plant!" ". Phrases like this will help to arouse the child's curiosity and keep his interest longer.

By showing her child the stages of plant development, it will be easier for her to understand the life cycle of a planted species, from seed to fully developed plant.

With children and gardening, the winning approach is to make the activity fun. Indeed, it takes a little trickery to capture the attention of small gardeners. In this perspective, imagining stories, asking questions and launching solicitations, are excellent ideas.

How to make the activity fun?

In order to successfully introduce your kid to gardening, it is essential that the sessions do not last long. We reserve a few minutes for each stage, ensuring that the theoretical and practical lessons follow one another fairly quickly. In this way, children will be able to put their theoretical knowledge into practice and master the basics of gardening.

Radishes, beans, peas and strawberries are some of the favorite crops for children. In addition, these plants are super easy to grow and are guaranteed to be successful, so it promises to encourage kids in the experience. If you don't have a garden, consider gardening with your little gardeners in a container or planter. For example, the strawberry plant lends itself wonderfully to container culture on the balcony and will be a great pleasure for your child. Radishes are also a great choice for your kid's balcony garden. Aromatic herbs (savory, thyme, basil etc.), in addition to being easy to grow in pots, will allow him to get to know the olfactory world of plants.

Gardening for children gives them the opportunity to take a close look at the life cycle of plantations

The other option available to you and your child is indoor gardening. In fact, this idea is particularly interesting and useful because the little ones will have the opportunity to take a close look at the life cycle of the plantations. In addition, growing houseplants allows the child to better understand their particular needs for water, heat and light. A rigorous selection of the species most suited to indoor cultivation is a guarantee of success.

A source of learning and a pleasant time to spend with the family, gardening for children offers a range of possibilities for activities. For example, instead of just planting, the kid can also make a decorative and personalized pot for their plants themselves.

Gardening is among the most interesting and fun activities, suitable for both small and big children. In addition to allowing them to develop their different senses, gardening helps them discover and observe nature while having fun in a different way. As a bonus, this activity turns out to be an excellent approach that promotes their patience and responsibility.