3 Values Children Can Learn When Gardening - EFI (2024)

3 Values Children Can Learn When Gardening - EFI (1)

20 Jul 3 Values Children Can Learn When Gardening

Teaching children new things is important especially when you want them to understand the values that are important to you. These values include integrity, ingenuity, and an appreciation for the things in life that we consider beautiful or worth expending our energy, time, and effort on. One of those things that many of us love sharing with our children is our love of gardening! Whether you are creating a spectacular garden worthy of fame or a simple garden that will hold pretty flowers and vegetables, there are many lessons that your children can learn from working in the garden. Continue reading to learn about the 3 values children can learn when gardening!

1. Life Works In Cycles

The first, and perhaps best lesson that most children learn when working in the garden is that life works in cycles. This is an important lesson for children, as it is a lesson that will be repeated often throughout the course of their lives. Of course, this is only one of the many lessons that gardening will teach, but gardening is one of the kindest ways this lesson can be learned. It also helps ease children into those times when lessons about the cycle of life are not so gently presented.

2. Hard Work Pays Off

The next lesson that gardening teaches children is that persistent effort often pays out with delightful results! Whether their gardening efforts yielded sweet peppers or pretty flowers, there is often a desired result that is achieved through gardening. If you really want to capture your children’s attention when it comes to gardening, choose a fast-growing plant for their first gardening experience. The ability to see the fruits of their labour quickly appear is often one of the greatest gifts we can give our children!

3. Learning New Things Can Be Fun

When planning a summer garden with children you need to consider certain things like their pint-sized hands and sponge-like minds. Kids soak up every ounce of information we provide them at an alarming rate! Be careful that you are not teaching them incorrect logic when it comes to gardening and growing beautiful summer plants. More importantly, you should make a concerted effort to ensure that you are teaching your children the positive aspects of gardening, so that this becomes an activity they look for with enjoyment rather than approaching with dread.

When gardening with children, there are many lessons that you can teach your children along the way. Science, math, and meteorology all have roles in gardening, but you should also be on the lookout for the valuable lessons that your children can teach you about gardening and life in general when you take them out to work with you in your summer garden!

Are you excited to teach your children these valuable lessons while gardening? While teaching them all about gardening, you can also begin to educate them on the various pests that can take over your garden. If you want to make your garden pest-free so that your children’s plants grow successfully, check out our pesticide-free products here. Do you want to learn more about summer gardening? Check out our free e-books here to read about 5 Flowers To Plant This Summer, 5 Ways To Create A Summer Garden On A Budget, and many more!

3 Values Children Can Learn When Gardening - EFI (2024)

FAQs

3 Values Children Can Learn When Gardening - EFI? ›

These values include integrity, ingenuity, and an appreciation for the things in life that we consider beautiful or worth expending our energy, time, and effort on.

How does gardening help children learn? ›

Studies show that gardening increases math and science skills and even boosts standardized test scores. Opportunities for academic development abound in the garden; parents can teach children new vocabulary, ecological concepts, math skills (counting and probability), and the scientific method.

How does gardening help a child's emotional development? ›

As they work alongside you, they will learn to work with others, develop skills and confidence, develop a sense of pride in their work, learn to problem solve, and most importantly – be patient. Learning to cultivate flowers and vegetables is a great experience for every child.

Which of the following are benefits of learning in the garden? ›

Benefits of Garden-Based Learning

Garden experiences foster ecological literacy and stewardship skills, enhancing an awareness of the link between plants in the landscape and our clothing, food, shelter, and well-being.

What are some questions about gardening for kids? ›

Questions to Ask Your Child
  • “April showers bring May flowers” is a common phrase — why do you think that is? ...
  • How do plants “drink” water? ...
  • What are different ways that plants are helpful to animals?
  • Why do you think many plants wait until springtime to start growing?
  • Why do plants need the sun?

What are the values of gardening? ›

These values include integrity, ingenuity, and an appreciation for the things in life that we consider beautiful or worth expending our energy, time, and effort on. One of those things that many of us love sharing with our children is our love of gardening!

Why is gardening beneficial for students? ›

Gardening supports academic achievement, helps students develop a healthy lifestyle, makes them more aware of their environment and helps them develop a sense of community.

What are the social skills of gardening? ›

Gardening requires clear communication and negotiation skills. Students need to decide which plants to grow, divide tasks, and negotiate solutions when issues arise. This active problem-solving environment encourages them to express their thoughts effectively and listen to others, enhancing their communication skills.

What are the mental and emotional benefits of gardening? ›

Gardening can make you feel more peaceful and content. Focusing your attention on the immediate tasks and details of gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings and can make you feel better in the moment. Just spending time around plants eases stress for many people.

How can youth gardens support social emotional learning? ›

Social and emotional herb gardens offer young students a sensory learning experience and a chance to explore their feelings. There are countless benefits to gardening with young children, including spending time in nature, experiencing life cycles in real time, and improving attention.

Why is it important to teach children about planting? ›

Getting toddlers or preschoolers involved in gardening allows them to experience plant care and nourish a responsible, consistent and positive attitude towards hard work. For self-grown fruits and veggies children will take great pride, you can rest assured.

How does gardening benefit you? ›

Working in the garden restores dexterity and strength, and the aerobic exercise that is involved can easily use the same number of calories as might be expended in a gym. Digging, raking and mowing are particularly calorie intense;43 there is a gym outside many a window.

What is the garden approach to learning? ›

Garden-based learning (GBL) encompasses programs, activities and projects in which the garden is the foundation for integrated learning, in and across disciplines, through active, engaging, real-world experiences that have personal meaning for children, youth, adults and communities in an informal outside learning ...

Is gardening good for kids? ›

These days all kids could benefit from a little more physical activity and sunshine they'll get while gardening. Activities like moving soil, carrying a heavy watering can, digging in the dirt and pushing a wheelbarrow can promote gross motor skills and overall strength for a more fit body.

Why garden with preschoolers? ›

Spending time in the garden offers opportunities to develop all kinds of skills. The benefits of gardening in early childhood are physical, emotional, spatial, mathematical, sensory awareness, character development, creative ideas, and just a love and appreciation of nature.

Why is teaching like gardening? ›

Just like teaching, gardening requires patience, problem-solving, and perseverance. Gardeners nurture their crops with proper soil, water, and sunlight.

Why is gardening an important skill? ›

Children taught gardening skills in second and fourth grade showed higher levels of respect for the environment than a control group of non-gardening students. According to another study, children who grow up gardening make healthier and more balanced food choices.

How is gardening beneficial? ›

Why does gardening seem to be so beneficial to health? It combines physical activity with social interaction and exposure to nature and sunlight. Sunlight lowers blood pressure as well as increasing vitamin D levels in the summer,42 and the fruit and vegetables that are produced have a positive impact on the diet.

What are gross motor skills in gardening? ›

Digging: Use either a hand trowel or a shovel for digging his own garden plot. Pulling Weeds: This will help develop arm and hand strength as well as postural stability. It will also help to keep the garden weed free. Raking: This will develop bilateral coordination and strength.

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