Benefits Of Gardening With Your Children
Growing up in small town USA I have learned to appreciate the slower pace of life and benefits of having more outdoors to explore. In a county where the cattle outnumber the population, farming and agriculture surrounded the area where I called home.
I watched my dad work tirelessly day in and day out building and maintaining the house I grew up. Every day he would work to ensure our house was in order; it's just something he did.
That rural, roughneck work ethic was enstilled in me without even knowing it.
Now that I have a home of my own I want to give my son the same opportunity I was given to have a childhood spent outside learning, growing, and working. It’s a fantastic excuse for me to spend time doing what I love while doing my best to inspire my boy.
Love Nature / Get your Hands Dirty
This is Harden’s favorite.. any chance to get his hands dirty he’s in. You can always find him “wokin aar’d” (working hard) moving rocks or shoveling dirt. Now that his vocabulary is rapidly expanding he is quick to call out every little thing he sees “airpain! bubbles (clouds), cucks (bird), mommy loook!”. I love watching the world through his eyes. Having a safe space outside to enjoy and to watch something grow can be rewarding and fun for any age.
Time Spent Outside Away From TV
I want Harden to develop good habits of exercising his mind and body, you’re not doing that when you’re watching TV. We are products of our environment (this is especially visible at age two when they begin to copy your every move) we as parents are responsible for our children’s environment. Let’s remember to lead by example. By cultivating a safe and enjoyable space outdoors, this can’t help but draw him there.
Gives Me Opportunity To Teach
The first thing Harden noticed was last years old crop, dead where they laid. His immediate response “Aaaaw” (indicating something was sad or hurt) was my first opportunity to teach about cycle of life (deep, right?) explaining that these dead plants get to be remembered and used as a foundation for this years plants. I’m able to teach him about responsibility and caring for things.. even if it is me repeating “Careful Harden, Gentle” over and over again. Gardening can also promote eating healthy, nothing better than a big tasty garden fresh tomato for a youngster to snack on.
Resourceful & Creative
Lastly, having a garden can teach your child to be incredibly resourceful and creative. I’ve witnessed some pretty “Magruberesk" moves by my two year old trying to get a hose to reach through a hole in the fence…Problem solving at its finest (practicing patience as well). Skills that will benefit your child in life.
There are so many other benefits to planting some roots in your home (apartment, condo, trailer, etc.) and you don’t have to be from the sticks to learn how. Make it a fun experience with your child and plan your garden now before its too late!
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