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Children and Gardening

Children and gardening seem made for each other. It's a creative, physical activity that involves their whole body and all the senses; produces exciting results that can be eaten, smelled, or otherwise enjoyed; can be done indoors or out at any time of the year; promotes self-esteem and well-being; can be engaged in alone or with friends or family; teaches about nature and ecology; and, lets them get permissibly dirty! Moreover, a child who comes to love gardening is likely to carry this interest into adulthood, making for a satisfying hobby or even a career.

For this chapter I'm switching my focus a bit, by talking about kids and gardening. I'm going to assume that a parent, relative, friend, or teacher is reading this, for the simple reason that a child can begin to participate in some of these activities while only two or three years old. An older child can, of course, read the chapter for himself.

If you are already a gardener, you have a head start on interesting your young son and daughter in growing and caring for plants. If you haven't gardened before, participating in these activities with your child can open up new worlds for you both.

A child is both pleased and eager to do whatever mom and Dad-or siblings-are doing. Working together in the garden can bond a family in a unique way, and open the door to increased sharing and caring among its members.

Whatever gardening projects you decide to undertake, don't be too particular as to methods and results, especially with a young child. Remember that process is usually more important than product. That is, learning and doing tend to be more helpful to a child's development than concentrating on a final product. Be there as a guide, then, but let him learn from his mistakes and experiments.

Success in some from is important, however, so do choose dependable, easy-to-grow varieties of plants, or for the smallest children, seeds that germinate quickly. Hos successus alit: possunt, quia posse videntur, as the Roman poet Virgil put it 2000 years ago. "These success encourages: they can because they think they can." He wasn't referring to either kids or to gardening, but the point holds true nonetheless!

Why Garden?
Benefits for Your Child
If you are the parent of a child with a physical disability, you in particular know in important self-esteem issues are in the life of your child. Having a visible physical disability immediately sets that child off from his peers; if equipment like a wheelchair is involved, the difference is even more obvious. Gardening of course isn't the only activity that can do wonders for a child's self-esteem and physical health, but it certainly qualifies as an excellent choice. Consider some of the reasons why.

Avoid letting your child work in the heat of the day, and remember that short sessions are best-stop before he gets tired. Always have plenty of drinking water on hand, and watch for signs of over-exertion. Be especially vigilant concerning skin breakdown and pressure sores. Heat and perspiration may make this problem worse if braces or tool cuffs are rubbing against the skin.

If your child is ambulatory, you may need to insist that shoes be worn outdoors, or at least while gardening. Nails, glass, and bits of rusty metal have a way of working themselves up to the surface of the ground. Especially if the homesite has been occupied for many years. The resulting threat to tender feet would make footwear a requirement.

For the child who has little or no sensation in the lower legs yet can crawl, protection is also advised. Long pants, shoes, and socks will shield the skin, but if this clothing is too much to wear in hot weather, try knee pads for at least partial protection. Child-size gloves (see page 130) will of course guard the hands.

Make sure vaccinations are up-to-date, as tetanus can be contracted from working with any garden soil. Ask your health-care provider if a booster is indicated for your child. And, since sunlight can cause adverse reactions with some medication s, talk with your pharmacist about any possible interactions.

If occupational, physical, or other therapists are involved in your youngster's care. Let them know about your plans to garden. They can suggest specific ways for you to help your child strengthen muscles and improve skills while he's having fun in the garden. Finally, check with your doctor for any additional health and safety recommendations!