Numerous studies show that the outdoors remains the healthiest environment for both children and adults. In today’s society with youth’s propensity toward computers and videos, exposure to gardening and a connection with nature at an early age may be more important than ever. It may also prove to be the perfect stress reliever for you!
Why not consider a family garden this summer and discover the life lessons and magic that planting a garden has to offer young aspiring minds. Personal experience confirms that involving children in the early stages of planning a garden creates a sense of responsibility and excitement that propels them through the summer growing months until harvest time.
At Beyond Montessori School (BMS) you’ll find tulips, hyacinths and daffodils that have been planted by our students showing the first signs of Spring in our playground gardens. Sunflower seeds, annual flowers and a select few vegetables will soon be enthusiastically planted and tended by the children. Gardening helps children learn valuable lessons about patience as they wait for their flowers and vegetables to grow, responsibility as they learn the necessity of caring for the plants, and even loss when a plant bares no more fruit and the flowers die at the end of the season. Gardening helps to develop a child’s senses as they glean first-hand knowledge about the life cycle of plants; along with the fun of getting dirty!
Looking for insects, worms, bees and birds in the garden is also a great part of the fun for little ones! Gardening helps children develop an understanding of the environment, and instills love and respect for the earth and all its creatures.
My two children love being involved in selecting the vegetables and flowers, preparing the earth, planting, and finally harvesting. I’ve been witness to the shear joy of my two year old as he “saved seeds” from our morning glories in the fall, meticulously blowing the shells off as he placed each individual seed in his bowl. My 6 year old was so proud as he munched on tomatoes that he helped plant from seed, and as he presented a zucchini to his father that he grew and harvested himself!
Children are fascinated in seeing vegetables pulled from the ground and plucked from a vine. They are mesmerized by the varied textures, colors, smells and even taste! One of the most important things about gardening is that children develop an understanding about where food comes from. They then notice the similarities and differences in their garden vegetables and produce from the grocery store. Children who garden are usually more likely to eat the fruits and vegetables they’ve helped grow!
Gardens feed our bodies and renew our spirits!
No time for your own family garden? Visit a local farmer. Get involved in a community garden. Make the Farmer’s Market a part of your family’s weekly ritual.
– Natasha Secord, Head of School