6 Ways to Teach Your Child to Garden

By Diane Hernandez

Veggie Lessons 

When the small green tomato plant blossoms, the most beautiful thing you’ll experience is the smile on your child’s face. Gardening is an experience meant to grow curiosity and appreciation in a child’s budding mind! 

Not only do children develop a green thumb, but they explore nature while cultivating a growing botany and science toolkit for future use! 

Plant the seed early and grow tiny nature lovers using the tips below! 

1. Start With A Few Plants

Start with one or two seeds in a small pot to incentivize your children. A bigger project could prove overwhelming and cause children to withdraw. Starting small ensures interest and allows your kids to take charge. They’ll also bond with the plant more.

2. Plant Location

If it’s out of sight, it’s probably out of your young one’s mind. To keep your children engaged, place the plant in an area that they frequent. In doing so, your child will remember to water the plant more often!

3. Assign Light Chores 

When parents assign chores, they keep their children accountable and emphasize the action’s importance.  Chores also teach your child responsibility, engaging them in the garden. It helps them realize the garden depends on them, and they make important contributions when helping! 

4. Make It Edible and Fast-Growing 

Growing tomato and pea plants are fun for kids! When the plant grows, kids see that their work led to food that they can enjoy and eat. If the plant grows quickly, it’s even better because the child sees their work come to fruition quicker. Other edible plant examples include carrots and a few types of beans. 

5. Buy Child-Sized Items

Engage your child through buying items made just for them. Small tools are easier for children to pick up and use. Try to cater the tools to what your child likes as well. If your son really likes the color yellow, try to find tools that feature the color yellow. In doing so, your child might gravitate toward using the tools even more.

6. Join Community Gardens

Community gardens give kids the chance to socialize. Some schools also host garden clubs and culinary classes that give children some extra knowledge on the subject. When other kids are around, your child is more likely to engage because it’s a chance to make friends.

Gardens are a great way to get a small mind ticking and small hands digging! Parents can use it to teach a child important responsibility and science lessons. Parents can, most importantly, use it as a fun way to spend time together while working on a cool project!

 

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