Why garden with kids

Consistent involvement in gardening can contribute to improved alertness, cognitive abilities and social skills, according to Garden Organic. The act of gardening as a therapeutic treatment known as horticulture therapy has shown to be particularly effective in rehabilitating motor, speech and cognitive abilities after illness. Children also perform better mentally when they have access to green space, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD are also relieved by outdoor green space, helping children focus both while they occupy the space as well as later in the day. The improvements in memory and attention were even more significant when children engaged in an activity outdoors, such as—you guessed it—gardening! Increased memory and focus are fabulous. But that is only part of the positive influence gardening has on the human brain.

Garden Organic states that elements of gardening have the ability to trigger emotions in people. For example, flowers produce powerful positive emotions and have both immediate and long-term effects on emotional reactions, mood and social behavior.

Well beyond mood, gardening can also serve as a powerful therapeutic tool against depression and anxiety. It also states that those who are involved in gardening find life more satisfying and feel they have positive things happening in their lives. As spring advances, gardeners across the country are tumbling outside with seed packets and trowels in hand.

Use the fresh excitement of spring as an excuse to do a little gardening with your children. While gardening for kids is clearly an enriching use of time, there are so many other beneficial activities in the great outdoors that can provide similar benefits.

There are some errors in the form. Please correct the errors and submit again. By selecting "Submit," I authorize Rasmussen University to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided. There is no obligation to enroll. Brianna is a content writer for Collegis Education who writes student focused articles on behalf of Rasmussen University.

She earned her MFA in poetry and teaches as an adjunct English instructor. Children will quickly learn they get out what they put in. Gardening is a great way to teach responsibility, but, it is no overnight process.

Children will need to learn to be patient when waiting for their flowers and vegetables to grow. They will also need to remain engaged in the process and keep looking after their flowers even when there are no clear results. The anticipation will make the moment their flower or vegetables sprout, even more exciting. Gardening helps with a wide range of topics that are a part of everyday national curriculum.

The wider topics include seasons, weather, life cycles, animals and mini beasts. These are topics that children learn about from nursery right through their school lives. It also helps develop numeracy and literacy skills. Measuring and counting are mathematical concepts which are involved with gardening.

Reading instructions on how to complete tasks or the name of different seeds help develop literacy skills. Math is a big part of gardening! The time it takes to grow a seed to harvesting your veggies takes weeks, if not months! Gardening is all about patience Welcome to the national Macaroni KID page!

If you are looking for your local Macaroni KID edition, simply click the "Change Your Town" button at the top of this page to find a Macaroni KID edition near you with all the kid-friendly events and happenings in your community! April 1, Here are 10 reasons to garden with kids: 1. Gardening engages all five senses How does that dirt feel against your hands?

Gardening encourages healthy eating Even the pickiest eaters won't be able to resist trying veggies they've grown themselves! Gardening enhances fine motor development Gardening encourages the development of fine motor skills every step of the way, from picking up tiny seeds to gently caring for seedlings and plants.

Gardening is science What makes leaves green? Gardening is a great family activity Although gardening can definitely be a lot of work, doing it together as a family makes it fun. It provides fun! Digging and raking were the most demanding tasks. Oh, the laundry! All that soil exposes kids to germs that help them build a strong immune system. Researchers have noted that kids who come in contact with more microbes—say, from growing up on a farm—have lower rates of allergies.

Microbiologist Brett Finlay is so passionate about kids getting exposed to those good microbes, he wrote a book called Let Them Eat Dirt.