5 Best Practices in Introducing Children to Gardening
Gardening is a skill not all people possess. For some, it is learned, while others have it innate. But no matter how gardening was introduced to individuals, it’s always a challenge to present it to children. Since kids can have a short attention span, teaching them a new skill can take a while. But what can parents do to introduce gardening to their children? Here are some ideas.
1. Keep Learning Slow and Steady
When children learn something new, it’s essential to keep the pace slow and steady is critical. If you push them too hard, they will get frustrated and bored. Overwhelmed children would only be disrupting the learning process.
Therefore, if it’s their first time around a garden, let them focus on the surroundings and try to understand it. Let the children touch the soil and the plants to learn what everything feels and looks like.
2. Give Them Tasks to Do
Instead of overwhelming them with the whole garden, you can give them tasks to do. If they’re still too young to do it themselves, give them a slight rake and a small basket to collect the dead leaves and other debris.
Instead of just asking them to observe, let them actively participate in the gardening process. Give children tasks like watering the plants or picking the weeds. This way, they will be familiar with the terminology, like what a weed is and a weed puller.
Because it’s their first time to experience gardening, encourage them to ask questions. Maybe it’s not a good idea to ask them everything at once. Choose one specific subject and let them gradually understand the process.
3. Teach Them About Safety in Gardening
Safety should always be a number one priority when gardening. Children should never be allowed to play in the garden alone. They might accidentally hurt themselves on the tools or even the plants. Take a step back and choose the right time to allow kids to play in the garden.
Teach them how to use the tools, especially the sharp ones, properly. Let them wear the appropriate protective gear if they work in the garden a lot. Discuss with them every safety precautions they need to follow when they’re around plants and gardens.
4. Impart Knowledge About Plants
Plants are not just things that make up the garden. They have a purpose, and you should not just let your child pick it without knowing their purpose in the park. Introduce the child to the different plants and explain how each of them helps in the garden. Teach your child how to identify each plant’s purpose. This way, they will be more interested in tending to the plants in the park.
5. Teach Them Good Habits
As they grow older, they need to learn good habits in maintaining the garden. They should learn from their mistakes and be more careful in their work. It’s an excellent opportunity for them to understand the importance of patience and how to avoid getting frustrated. But because a child’s attention span is limited, it’s essential to be patient with them. They will learn, but not at the same speed as you. To avoid frustrations, be patient and understanding.
Conclusion
Children, like adults, also have the habit of having a short attention span. They would get bored with gardening fast and want to move on to something else. But, if you introduce them to gardening slowly and steadily, they will learn eventually.
Although, it’s essential that you give your child tasks to do so they can gain more interest. Plus, they will be more eager to help in the garden. They will be more familiarized with the whole process. Besides, it’s also an excellent opportunity to learn how to maintain a garden.
Blossom Broom is a home and lifestyle blog dedicated to curating home design ideas. Our goal is to teach our readers the importance of keeping a well-balanced home. One of our topics is gardening for both children and adults. Learn how to grow your food today by browsing through our published topics.
