What Are the Benefits of Gardening for Kids?
This spring, consider heading over to a garden supply store after picking your child up at his or her Montessori school. You and your youngster can pick out a variety of plants to grow and start a garden together. Gardening is a valuable experience for children because it nurtures their emotional well-being and their inquisitive nature, which is why some Montessori students practice gardening as part of an enrichment program at their preschool or elementary school.
Preschoolers enjoy healthy development as they explore the world with their senses. Gardening offers a wealth of opportunities for children to use their senses to enjoy various textures, sights, and odors. When building your garden, create opportunities for your children to move freely through it. Construct well-defined walking paths with sand, wood chips, or gravel. Provide a log for sitting or climbing on. Preschoolers can also appreciate a special area of the garden designated as their “digging area,” in which they can explore the feel of dirt, stones, and similar materials.
Having your preschoolers help you with a family garden instills important life lessons. They learn to become smart risk takers. For example, they might experiment by dropping too many seeds in one hole – just to see what happens. They learn to have patience as they watch their plants grow and they learn about responsibility in caring for the garden.
Gardening is an excellent introduction to many topics, such as biology and health. Children can learn the names of various plants, the different parts of plants, and the benefits of eating vegetables for good nutrition. Encourage your child to help you prepare a healthy meal using vegetables and herbs the two of you grew together.
At The Montessori School at StarCreek, your child will have access to a variety of enrichment programs , including outdoor gardening. Children at our Montessori school enjoy creative cooking projects with the vegetables they grow in our organic garden. You can reach our Montessori School in North Dallas at (972) 985-8844 or in Allen at (972) 727-2800 with any questions you may have.