Did you know that kids who garden are more than twice as likely to eat the recommended 5 servings of vegetables a day? This is just one of the reasons to include your kids in gardening during the spring and summer months. Yet, there are many other reasons for children to garden which include emotional, cognitive and physical development.
Studies show that children who help with gardening, whether at home or in a school or community garden, can benefit both cognitively and physically. School and home gardens help encourage students to eat healthier, and to try new fruits and vegetables. It also connects the students and children to the environment, prevents childhood obesity, promotes physical activity, and encourages new ways of learning.
According to Saint Louis University research, a “garden produce creates what we call a positive food environment,” says Debra Haire-Joshu, Ph.D., director of Saint Louis University’s Obesity Prevention Center and a study author. She went on to say that “When children are involved with growing and cooking food, it improves their diet”. The University also concluded that 'the difference is in where the vegetables come from. Kids that eat vegetables grown at home are 5 times more likely to eat and try new vegetables compared to families without home gardens.'
Gardening is also an excellent way for kids to understand the entire process it takes to get vegetables from seed to their plate. As an early childhood educator, I know that in order for children to fully comprehend a subject area (in this case, ecology), it is important to understand the whole process, in fact, to be able to observe the 'full picture', from start to finish. In scientific studies and observation, children can learn so much by growing their own plants and vegetables. They learn that their food actually comes from the earth, and does not just end up on their plate in it's edible state. They also learn about the importance of agriculture, of protecting our earth (Earth Day is in April!), and of how our food is made.
By physically being involved in the gardening process, tilling the soil, watering, picking, and so on, children realize that farmers have a hard job that involves strenuous labour. So, when kids grow their own fruits and vegetables, and work hard to make it edible, they are more likely to eat it. This gives them knowledge on healthy eating and healthy choices, and, if they are preparing meals from their own homegrown vegetable garden, they are going to learn about proper nutrition and organic food. Also, physical labour is good 'exercise' for children, and they enjoy 'exercise' more when it produces positive results (in this case, their own vegetables!).
With a background in Montessori education, I am all about teaching in new and exciting ways. Many Montessori Schools (especially in the U.S) are introducing edible gardens to their learning curriculum. Claire’s Montessori Edible Garden posted a blog on their new edible garden project. The Directress said "It is going to be a great addition to our program. School gardens help encourage students to eat healthier, and to try new fruits and vegetables. It also connects the students to the environment, prevents childhood obesity, promotes physical activity, and encourages new ways of learning."
The George Watts Montessori Edible Garden teaches kids about helping others and compassion by sharing food from their community garden with families in need.
Everyone knows that gardens are handy sources of fresh and local food, but increasingly they're also an extension of therapy for people with mental health issues, of which counsellors call 'horticultural therapy'. There is increasing evidence that gardening can help children with anxiety and mental health issues, and even build upon their self-esteem.
Much of the science behind just how gardening affects the mind and brain still remains a mystery. What scientists do know is that gardening reduces stress and calms the nerves. It decreases cortisol, a hormone that plays a role in stress response. (reference below)
So with this information in mind, what better way to celebrate Earth Day, and build on children's physical, emotional, and cognitive growth, than to plant your own edible garden this spring?
Here are some tips that I have found to be helpful in planning your edible garden experience:
- Let your child help to plan, design, organize, and decorate your garden. Ensure that you put your garden in an area that is central to your homestead. This generates more traffic to your garden, making it a family and community event. Make sure that you let your children help to decorate the garden (ie. choosing small signs to mark vegetable rows, scarecrow) Also, leave places for digging and playing in your garden. Lastly, create some special hiding places (ie. grapevine wigwams, sunflower houses) as children love to hide, as well as stepping stones and a walking path which allows for easy walking through the 'fun' garden design.
- It may be a good idea to create raised beds in the garden for planting. These will make it easier for kids to know where the garden plants are and where it is okay to walk and play. Amend the soil with topsoil and compost.
- Advise the kids on where to plant tall and short crops and proper plant spacing. Start with transplants and large seeded crops, such as zucchini and beans, so kids can plant more easily, and are more apt to have a successful gardening experience. Remember vegetables are the easiest plants to grow. Do not forget that most kids love carrots, so leave room for planting small seeded and sweet vegetables as well.
- Also, a good idea would be to mulch garden pathways and spaces between plants with bark mulch, hay, or straw once the plants are established. This is so that the need for constant watering and weeding is lessened. Also, building structures for climbing vegetables, such as peas, pole beans, and cucumbers, and tall plants, such as tomatoe will encourage kids to be creative with their garden theme and to decorate these structures accordingly.
- Celebrate your garden, by making it not only a family, but a community celebration. Remember the key is to inspire success in the garden, and to celebrate your child's contribution to the garden's success. It would be a fun idea to invite friends, family and neighbours to a Garden Social/Party.
- Find child-friendly recipes in order for you and your child to make meals, snacks, and treats with your garden edibles. Be sure to check out our momstown Recipe section on the webpage. Here are a few links to recipes that you can make out of your homegrown fruits and vegetables:
REFERENCES:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/02/17/147050691/can-gardening-help-troubled-minds-heal
