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Gardening With KidsGrowing Bodies and Minds
If you consider your homeschool a "lifestyle", gardening with kids is and ideal place to learn by doing. Planting and cultivating a garden not only strengthens kids physically, but also strengthens the relationships with the people who work alongside each other. Children learn practical skills and in the end, have something to show for their efforts – nutritious, fresh food to eat and share with others. Even city dwellers can enjoy fresh foods from small container gardens. Here are a few ideas if you decide to include gardening in your homeschool plan.
Let children help with the planning.Ask what they would like to grow, then work out the best time of year to plant and harvest their choices. Don’t be afraid to try a few different selections in addition to the old standbys. You may be surprised by how good the “uncommon” picks can be.Work together.Generally, farmers have a good work ethic. They have to or their crops will suffer. Many people think having a garden will create automatic “work ethic” training. But you can’t just send your young child out to the “field” with a list of chores. Always show children how to do things in the garden before asking them to do it on their own. Explain what you are going to do and why, then show them. Have them try it a few times with you there before unleashing them to work on their own.Keep your eyes peeled. *wink*Gardening with kids is a good time to bring in science with your child. Use observations skills to discover new topics for study. Talk about the bugs and other creatures found in the garden. Talk about the needs of the plants and how they are growing. Problem solve together. Why are the leaves turning black? What will keep this pest away? Check out this idea for a garden scavenger hunt. Use kid sized tools.The smaller size makes them easier and safer to handle. Don’t be afraid to let kids try things you think may be too hard for them. For example, let your three year old try to carry a full water can – they may surprise themselves and you!Let the healthy harvest be the reward. Children are usually more willing to try fruits and veggies they’ve helped grow – and even more so if they help harvest and prepare them. My children never liked tomatoes, but once I convinced them to try the ones they grew, they couldn’t get enough. (I don’t blame them, home grown are SO much better!) If your children are reluctant to try a new food from the garden, teach by example. If you eat something first, they may be eager to take a bite.  Learn to can.If your family is industrious and blessed with a good harvest from a large garden, consider teaching your children to “put up food” by canning, freezing or dehydrating. If you’ve never done it before, it’s easy to learn and a must for that “fresh from the garden product taste” year round. If you are interested in expanding gardening with kids into a homestead check out Organic Gardening and Homesteading. Leave the Gardening With Kids page and return to the HBD Home page |
 Field Trips
Organizing Field Trips for Homeschool Groups Provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to plan a successful homeschool field trip for your support group. Click here to learn more. |
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