How gardening can affect the BRAIN:
The wonder of
seeing a garden grow may spark your kids to ask questions like: Why do the
plants need sun? How does the plant “drink” water? Why are worms good for the
plants? Soon you will be talking about soil composition, photosynthesis and
more! Add a little math while gardening by measuring how
much plants are growing from
week to week or counting the flowers on each plant. Supplement the experience
of gardening with books about plants, trips
to a botanical garden, or a photo journal of the plants that you are growing.
Once
you harvest your produce, think of all the brain-building vitamins, minerals
and nutrients your kids will be eating and how that will continue to boost
brain development. Foods like spinach, garlic and beets (which are all easy to
grow) have been shown to help with cognitive function and can give your kids an
advantage in their growth and development. Even if kids may not love the foods
they grow at first, teach them to keep tasting and trying and to train their
taste buds to enjoy the bounty of their garden.
How
gardening can affect the BODY:
When
children participate in gardening, the fruits and vegetables that they are
inspired to eat will no doubt have a positive effect on their body. But the act
of gardening itself can also promote a healthy body. Kids LOVE to get their
hands and feet in the dirt, which can run counter to the modern parenting style
of compulsively keeping hands and surfaces cleaned and sanitized. However,
consider the “hygiene hypothesis,” a theory that a lack of childhood exposure
to germs actually increases a child’s susceptibility to diseases like asthma,
allergies and autoimmune conditions by suppressing the development of the
immune system. So getting dirty while gardening may actually strengthen a
child’s immunity and overall health.
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. Plus, these activities,
known as “heavy work,” have been shown to help kids stay calm and focused.
How
gardening can affect the SOUL:
In this
electronic age, kids need time for meaningful family connection. Time in the
garden allows for team building and promotes communication skills. Planning a
garden, planting the seeds and watching them grow give kids a sense of purpose
and responsibility. Making sure that the plants get enough fertilizer, water
and sun fosters mindfulness. The concepts learned while gardening, like
composting food scraps for fertilizer or using gathered rainwater, can show
kids a deep respect and responsibility for taking care of our planet.
Furthermore,
studies show that when children have contact with soil during activities like
digging and planting, they have improved moods, better learning experiences and
decreased anxiety. Most important, the self-esteem a child gets from eating a
perfect cucumber that he grew himself is priceless.
Grow
hearts, bodies and minds
together!