The birth and growth of plants fascinate children quite early. Being in the garden, participating in its upkeep or creation, being able to scratch the ground: what fun!
How to organize? What are the children’s favorite plantations?
At what age ?
It depends on the children, but before 2 years old, their propensity to eat soil and stones can make gardening hazardous. After this phase, where they take the term omnivore literally, some children like to garden very early. From the age of 6, the interest in plants and their growth is quite strong.
Gardening: what use is it for children?
Knowing where food comes from is important for children. And then understanding the existence and growth of plants will help them to appropriate the functioning of our planet.
For a little one, getting a plant to grow is magic. Seeing it grow and prosper and finally give birth to a vegetable, a fruit or a flower: it’s exciting. And what pride to be able to have those around you taste the fruit of your own production!
Comment s’organiser ?
Whatever their age, it is better to take a tour of the garden to eliminate any danger before offering a gardening activity to your child. This space which is so familiar to you may conceal traps for the little ones: hole, body of water, forgotten tools… In addition, remember to mark out the places which should not be walked on if there are any. You can also plant very well on a terrace or a balcony if you do not have a garden.
With the little ones, do not expect a participation of more than 15 minutes. From 6 years old, 30-minute sessions are possible, or even longer depending on the children.
We recommend that you put old clothes on children, or dirty clothes from the day before. Let them scratch the ground, experiment with the water and get dirty at their leisure: these are part of the pleasures of this activity.
What to start with ?
The first activities with the children must be accompanied: you dig a hole, they put the seed and add fertilizer and soil. If following 5 minutes, they are playing with a glass of earth or observing a butterfly, no stress: they need to take ownership of the place. Besides, most gardening sessions with children end with totally different activities!
For a family activity, involve your little gardeners in picking up leaves from your hedges following spring pruning: each has their own plant bag to fill, this also teaches them teamwork.
For older kids, making the biggest pile of fallen leaves in the fall can be fun. On the planting side, they will quickly be able to plant seeds in total autonomy.
The traps
In order to avoid any confusion, we suggest that you wait until they are 4 or 5 years old before weeding them. The difference between weed and good plant is too subtle for the youngest!
Monitor the use of fertilizers and other slug repellents. Children tend to be generous, so much so that they may well kill the plantations!
The first plantations
The children’s favorite is the radish: in 2 to 3 days the first shoots appear, it’s magic! Their growth is so fast that the progression is observed almost day by day, which is very motivating for the little ones. Regular watering is nevertheless necessary.
The strawberry plant is also a success: much slower growing and greedy in fertilizer, it gives fruits that will make your toddlers very happy. It takes at least 10 feet to have a production that begins to meet the needs of a child. In the same genre, the raspberry is generally appreciated.
Tomatoes are also very popular, and are easy to grow. Get them to water their feet before bed, it will be a little evening out in the garden that your little ones will enjoy.
In addition, herbs are a very interesting initiation: children can eat them raw, even on the stalks, and you can ask them to fetch them if necessary for cooking, which will lead them to recognize them very early on.
Source : https://bougerenfamille.com
