Gardening is an intensely rewarding pastime. It comes with several substantial benefits. For many, it's something that tends to be taken seriously only later in life, when we have access to a green space of our own, and the time necessary to tend to it.
But while there's nothing wrong with coming to gardening later in life, it's better to get stuck in early. By involving children in the garden, you'll equip them with the skills and enthusiasm they need to pursue the hobby throughout their lives.
So, what benefits does gardening hold for kids? Let's examine a few of them.
Exercise
Gardening can be intensely physical work. It'll provide mental stimulation and help to bust stress, in the same way as a crossword puzzle or a long run in the park. Whether you're planting a few potatoes or pruning back a hedge, you can often be sure of a workout.
Food Education
Perhaps the biggest benefit of gardening for children is that it will provide them with an understanding of the various vegetables they eat, and where those vegetables come from. Additionally, learning about bees and their role in pollination can be fascinating for children. They will discover how these industrious insects contribute to the growth of many fruits and vegetables and even learn about the production of honey, seeing how bees transform nectar into the honey that fills the plastic honey bottles they find in stores.
This familiarity along might make them more inclined to make healthier eating decisions throughout their lives, which will ultimately protect them against a range of health problems.
Sensory Development
Gardening stimulates all five senses. Children will be able to feel the texture of the soil, smell the flowers and cut grass, taste the produce, hear the birdsong in the trees, and, naturally, see the wonderful green space around them.
Planting flower plants and seeds is a fantastic way to support sensory development, especially for children. This hands-on activity engages all the senses-feeling the texture of soil, smelling the fresh earth, hearing the rustle of leaves, and seeing the vibrant colors as flowers grow. The variety of shapes, sizes, and scents of different flowers provides a rich sensory experience, helping to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
By stimulating all of the senses, we're providing developing minds with a rich and varied workout - of the kind that isn't available indoors. As such, it's fair to say that gardening is a great activity for the kid's development.
In the case of climbing plants, there's an element of mechanical construction, too. Tomato plants, for this reason, make a great match for kids. In some cases, a greenhouse (or some similar alternative) might be necessary to create the required environment. This can help to provide children with the sense of adventure and novelty they need to get excited about food.
Patience
Gardening provides the perfect antidote to the age of instant gratification. We might plant seeds and wait for days, or even weeks, before we see the first results. The ability to delay gratification, and to invest effort well in advance of any reward, is highly predictive of good life outcomes - as the Stanford Marshmallow Experiments made famous.
Social benefits
Many nurseries and schools across the country have their own miniature gardens, where plants can be cultivated by very young gardeners. This allows children to talk to one another and collaborate on the task, which naturally equips them with the social skills they'll need to prosper in other fields of endeavour!
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