![]() Gardening is a healthy, fun activity for children.Horticultural Therapy Association of Victoria Tel.Preparing the soil with organic fertiliser.Craft activities using harvested seeds, plants and flowers.Preparing healthy food, such as making salads and preparing school lunches.Picking vegetables and fruits when they are ready to eat.Feeding the worms and using the ‘worm tea’ from the worm farm as fertiliser.Planting vegetables, fruits and flowers in the correct season.Older children are physically capable of handling a greater variety of activities, like digging, carrying, planting, mulching and pruning.Īctivities for a child in the gardenChoose activities that suit the child’s age. Suitable tasks for younger children include watering plants, harvesting produce and planting seeds. Younger children will require careful supervision during activities. Sound – corn, bamboo and grasses rustle against each other when the wind blows.ĭifferent-aged children in the gardenToddlers, preschoolers, primary-school-aged and older children will all have different expectations and will learn different things in the garden.Bright colour – daffodils, rainbow chard, marigolds, pansies, sunflowers.Smell – jasmine, sweet peas, lavender, pelargoniums, native mint bush, lemon balm.Taste – basil, strawberries, peas, rosemary, carrots, cherry tomatoes.Touch – woolly lamb’s ear, succulents (such as aloe vera), bottlebrush species, snapdragons.Examples of great sensory plants include: You should also consider using varieties of plants that have sensory and textural qualities as well. Plants such as sunflowers, corn and pumpkins are good examples. Plant selection for childrenChildren like large, brightly coloured flowers and vegetables that grow quickly. Do not leave buckets of water unattended around very young children and toddlers.Make sure that where it’s appropriate, children wear a hat, sunscreen, suitable clothing and gumboots.Provide shade in summer with umbrellas or shade cloth.Provide safe storage for equipment and tools.Keep sprays and fertilisers out of reach.Visit community gardens, children’s farms or botanic gardens for ideas.Ĭhild safety in the gardenTo make the garden safe for children:.Install a water feature, a birdbath or a sundial.Plant flowers that attract butterflies, ladybirds and other interesting insects or birds.Use a trellis or teepee to grow beans or sweet peas.Grow interesting plants such as sunflowers, corn, pumpkins, tomatoes and strawberries.Encourage children to dig in the dirt.Use lightweight, easy-to-handle, correct-sized tools and garden equipment.Involve older children in the planning and design of the garden.You can start with a large container or a few pots.) Getting children interested in gardeningSome suggestions to get children involved and interested in creating a garden include: Nutrition – learning about where fresh food comes from.Creativity– finding new and exciting ways to grow food.Cooperation– including shared play activity and teamwork.Physical activity – doing something fun and productive.Reasoning and discovery – learning about the science of plants, animals, weather, the environment, nutrition and simple construction.Love of nature – a chance to learn about the outdoor environment in a safe and pleasant place.Self-confidence – from achieving their goals and enjoying the food they have grown.Understanding– as they learn about cause and effect (for example, plants die without water, weeds compete with plants).Gardening is educational and develops new skills including: ![]() Most children enjoy being outdoors and love digging in the soil, getting dirty, creating things and watching plants grow.Ĭhildren learn from growing thingsPeople of all ages can enjoy gardening, but children in particular will have lots of fun and gain special benefits. ![]() Children can learn new skills, have fun, play and develop self-confidence by spending time in the garden tending plants and growing their own food.
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