Gardening can be a very relaxing and fulfilling hobby for many people; a time when they can reconnect with the earth and feel a part of the vital cycle of life and nature. Yet, this wonderful experience is not just reserved for adults. Children are keenly interested in gardening as well, if given the opportunity to explore nature and science in this way. Gardening can bring joy to both children and their parents alike, especially when the experience is shared together.



Gardening Together: A Bonding And Learning Experience

The time that is spent engaging your child in worthwhile, learning activities is never wasted. Quality time is precious to a child, and that time spent gardening together builds precious memories within their hearts and minds for years to come. When you are gardening with your child, try to give the child his/her own special area or plot. It could be his/her own container, raised bed or ground plot. It doesn not matter as long as they can feel that they own that space. Keep their area in the center of the best soil and light, as you want to ensure a successful gardening experience.

When you are gardening with your child, give them real tools to use if possible. Plastic tools easily break and are difficult to use in the dirt, so finding authentic tools for them is a better option. Even offering to let them use your tools is a way to acknowledge the worth of the work they are doing. It is also important to talk with your child about the entire process of gardening, from planting to the harvest. They need to understand how things work and the importance of what they are doing. Buying seeds will allow the child to learn more effectively than using the starters, as they can see the entire process from beginning to finish.

Show off the child s gardening work by taking friends and visitors for a walking tour through the garden and point out the child s particular spot. When you give attention to the child s work, this is a great motivation for a child to continue wanting to be involved. Do not force the child to participate when they are in a foul mood or if they are becoming bored. Instead, allow the to do something different, like building a scarecrow! This makes the gardening experience even more interesting. As you work together side-by-side with your child, you will instill a love of the land in them, as well as create lasting memories of time spent with you.