Kids Can Benefit From Gardening Too

Gardening for children is a great way to get them outside and doing an activity that will give them a sense of accomplishment as well as an appreciation for nature and the world around us. Gardening has many benefits for all of us, but especially for young children.

Here are some of the benefits that gardening can easily provide for children:

1. Life

Seeing a seed grow into a plant is as wonderous as the conception to birth and growth of a child. In time, kids that garden will grow to love their plants and appreciate the life in them. In some cases, gardening can actually help to simulate how life should be treated -- with care and respect. The necessities needed to live can be emphasized to kids when they garden - water, sunlight, air, soil. Children can learn to relate these necessities to to human necessities, i.e., water, shelter, air, food. By the process of weeding out, one can educate children on how bad influences should be avoided in order to live life smoothly.

2. Science

When gardening, children are indirectly taught the wonders of science like the plant's life cycle and how the intervention of man can break or make the environment. They have a birds eye experience on the miracle of life from a seed. This can be a new and enjoyable experience for any kid.

3. Family

When you get out in the garden, you can forget about the stresses of life for a while and be calmed by the restfulness of the garden. The garden can be a place to spend quality time with your children. You can talk while tending to the plants or just work quietly beside each other. You might be surprised at what you discover about your child when working with them in your garden.

4. Relaxation

Studies show that gardening has a claming effect that can reduce stress. In addition, it stimulates all 5 of the senses. Believe it or not, gardening can be used as therapy for children who have been abused or those who are members of broken homes. Gardening not only relaxes, but it also helps to build one's self-esteem.

Let kids be aware of the needs of the environment through gardening. Gardening with your kids accomplishes two things - teaching them to respect life while creating a bond between you and them.