Children develop a wide range of skills from being outdoors and in the garden.
Other than a love of nature, children will learn about responsibility, discovery and understanding, cooperation and creativity. They will also benefit from learning about nutrition while being physically active. These elements of gardening are just some of the lifetime benefits of sharing the outdoors with children.
Garden therapy:
We've all heard the term, "garden therapy". It resonates so much with adults - children are the same! Sunshine, fresh air and connecting with nature... we all need that! As do adults, children also need a space they can retreat to when they would like some solitude and a moment to reset and gather thoughts where they feel safe and can relax.
For children especially, gardens are naturally sensory based with textures, sights and sounds, smells and of course colour all filling our senses with so much goodness... and we haven't even got to the eating part yet!
Fine and gross motor skills:
Motor skills get a workout in the garden. Picking a sweet, juicy strawberry can assist in the development of fine motor skills as can gently picking up a little ladybeetle and putting it back on a leaf.
Digging a hole in the soil to plant a new seedling and helping to fill a bucket of water and carrying it to the garden are the types of movements that will help develop their gross motor skill and muscle development.
Responsibility:
With quickly learning that they have a responsibility with keeping their seedlings alive and watering seeds that have been sown, children will quickly realise - with responsibility comes rewards! They're also learning that fruit and vegetables don't grow in shops with plastic wrapped on them.
Encourages healthy eating:
Undoubtedly, the best way for children to learn about where their food comes from, is for them to experience it for themselves. Planting seeds or seedlings, caring for them and nurturing them. Then, then when it's time, harvesting for their own dinner! An enormous amount of learning and satisfaction will come from such a rewarding task, that children will be so excited to taste and experience the very end result of all their labour! Is there a better way to introduce your young ones to eating healthy?
Social skills and family bonding:
So, with all the above being a no-brainer for children to get active in the garden, it doesn't stop there. Turn this into a family activity! Have the kids allocate jobs and then next time switch rolls so everyone gets all-round experiences. They can weigh up their harvest and aim higher next time. Older kids can get together and find a recipe for mum or dad to cook up their favourite meal... or if they're old enough, they can cook it for mum and dad! The ideas are endless! Before you know it, they will be spending a lot less time on their devices. But, be warned.... there will be some grubby little hands, but there will also be lots and lots of smiles! Go on... grab a bucket and spade... oh and you might need the camera. 😉
We have in stock some great little garden project starter kits to inspire your future gardening guru.
Check out the link:
⭐ https://seedie.com.au/products/watch-me-grow-paint-a-pot-project ⭐
We'd love to hear about your garden successes! Feel free to drop us a comment below and tell us about those muddy little hands wrapped around you excited that they just found the biggest potato ever!!
🌿 HAPPY GARDENING 🌿
