| Gardening with kids is a great outdoor activity | | | | children: |
| that allows the whole family to participate. From | | | | - Study what kind of climate you have before |
| selecting your vegetables and flowers, preparing | | | | you start. Once you know your zone, you can |
| the earth and planting, and harvesting, gardening | | | | find out what plants to select. |
| with kids can be a wonderful way to spend quality | | | | - Designate a place where your child will be |
| time with your children and a healthy hobby all can | | | | gardening. |
| enjoy. Working in the garden, children learn to | | | | - Teach them about the importance of quality soil |
| work together and share, and helps a child build all | | | | and soil preparation. |
| senses. | | | | - Before starting a garden with your children, the |
| These days, kids spend more time sitting in front | | | | first thing you should do is remove any large |
| of their computers and TV than playing outdoors. | | | | debris, rocks, and branches. |
| According to a study by the California | | | | - Let the kids lay out the shape of the garden or |
| Department of Education, kids' fitness levels may | | | | draw on paper first. |
| affect their performance in school. Study done by | | | | - Ask your kids what kind of plants, vegetables or |
| the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | | | | flowers they like to plant and let your kids pick |
| found the same results on academic performance. | | | | them out. |
| The study found that increased amounts of | | | | - Explain what will work well in your garden and |
| physical fitness translated into higher academic | | | | what won't. If planning vegetable gardens, show |
| achievement. The benefits were most evident in | | | | row spacing, and distance between plants. |
| math scores. Also found that girls at a higher | | | | - Let them help in the selection of seeds and |
| fitness level had better achievement than boys. | | | | blossoming plants at the nursery. Let your child do |
| Do your children consume the recommended five | | | | the money calculations. |
| servings of fruits and vegetables each day? | | | | - Depending on your kid's age, let him/she dig, |
| We've known for years that fruits and | | | | weed, or watering. This is a great way for your |
| vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, | | | | child to explore. |
| and fiber that keep us healthy. According to | | | | - Get them their own gardening tools. Nothing will |
| nationwide nutrition survey research, daily | | | | motivate your little gardener more than having |
| consumption of fruits and vegetables decrease | | | | their own little shovel, gardening gloves, watering |
| risk of stroke, cancer, and heart disease; | | | | pail, and colored rubber boots. |
| improved memory; and lower blood sugar levels. | | | | - Plant some quick growers to keep the child's |
| So why not try. | | | | interest or purchase plants from garden center |
| Benefits of gardening with your children: Benefits | | | | - Watch plants grow and enjoy time together in |
| of gardening with your children: | | | | nurturing nature. |
| - Social and Life Skills | | | | Gardening with children can benefit both children |
| - Science | | | | and adults and it's all about having fun and learning. |
| - Relaxation | | | | Gardening and nature are great stress relievers, |
| - Environmental Awareness | | | | enhance the environment, develop individuals, and |
| - Quality time with family | | | | build communities. |
| Here are some tips for gardening with your | | | | |