Picture a child involved in a gardening activity such as planting a seed. There are so many concepts to explore, discover, and learn. Children will learn about science and nature when identifying plants. They will explore math skills by counting scoops of dirt. They will be exposed to reading and writing through stories, books, and activities such as creating gardening journals. They will learn social skills by working with other children and by learning to care for and nurture a living thing. Through gardening, not only do plants grow, but children grow, too.

Gardening with young children doesn't have to be overwhelming, and it doesn't need to happen every day or every week. Start by inviting the children to become curious about gardening. Here are three ideas to think about:

1. Get Ready to Dig - Before "digging in" with the children, you may want to reflect on what you would like to have the children discover about gardening. It's good to take a look through a book on gardening with children to help you plan. Have on hand a few simple supplies to start. A plant or a book about gardening to show the children can spark their interest. Also, you may want to have soil, seeds, cups/pots, watering cans/misters, and magnifying glasses. Gardening tools are not necessary at this point.
   
   
   
2. Consider Safety - always be safe and use good judgment when working with young children. Gardening does have a few risks. The Poison Hot Line (1-800-222-1222) can offer lists of plants and materials not suitable for young children. Know which are poisonous. Know what your potting soil has in it and if it is safe for young children (your local garden center should be able to help). Know also that some seeds are coated with chemicals harmful to young children (read labels of seed packages). Seeds should not be used with children under three years of age. Watch also when using water and tools with young children. Activities should be age-appropriate and supervision is a must!
   
   
   
3. Involve Everyone - Before starting your activity, think clearly if your children can do all the steps involved. Is it too hard or too easy? If working with mixed age groups, find ways to involve everyone. You might hold a baby to look at a gardening book while the toddlers are scooping and counting cups of dirt. Older children can help younger children with seeds. We all know that learning comes from doing. Involve the children in many ways. For example, let them help get supplies ready (line table with newspaper, pass out paper cups, fill watering can, mist the plants, etc.). Have the children help plan what to do next.
   

Tip: Write down the children's ideas about gardening. Children love to hear what they have said. Display their ideas on paper to share with families or place them in garden journals. Garden journals can be store-bought notebooks or simply paper stapled together. Drawings, photographs, pictures, and recordings of the plants' growth and care can be added as well.

Dig Deeper!

With a little observing on your part, you will be able to see what your children are interested in. They may be interested in types of plants, or even just exploring dirt and water. Look and listen carefully! This will help you adjust your planning to better suit their interests.

Even in the cold, dreary months, we can still garden indoors! It is such a wonderful feeling to bring gardening indoors in the winter and fall. It gives us a connection with the outdoors, even though we are inside. The following are simple indoor gardening ideas to explore with young children.

Start a Bean-- Starting a bean seed to sprout roots can be very exciting!

You will need:

• Bean seeds (any kind)
  
• Clear container (plastic cups or zip-lock style bags)
  
• Paper towels
  
• Spray bottle of water
  

Place seeds on paper towels and put in plastic cups or plastic bags (have seeds placed so children can see them) and place by a window. Moisten with water; no dirt needed! Mist daily with water, but do not over mist or you may get mold. Watch the roots take off!

Children will learn:

• Science and nature by discovering about root systems and what they do
  
• Fine motor by drawing roots and their wiggly, curvy lines
  
• Math by counting the seeds
  
• Responsibility by caring for their seed

Plant a Flower Inside - If you're stuck inside because of bad weather, it’s a great time to start a flower bulb.

You will need:

• Flower bulb, such as an amaryllis (they are fast growers)
  
• Potting soil or small stones (we do not recommend using small stones with children under age of three)
  
• Container or garden pot

You can find many flower bulbs at stores already packaged, or gardening centers may sell individual bulbs. Place bulb in container with dirt or small stones (the stones allow more viewing of the root system). Place root of bulb in first. Before planting, allow children to explore the flower bulb. Look at it with magnifying glasses, weigh it, and discuss what might happen. Once growth occurs, chart how fast and how much it grows.

Children will learn:

• Math concepts by measuring and charting the flower’s growth
  
  
• Science and nature by exploring bulbs, identifying plant
  
  

Thinking skills by predicting what will happen

 

Growing Grass Hair

You will need:

• Containers (pots, cups)
  
• Soil, grass seed
  
• Craft materials (such as wiggly eyes, paint, markers) to decorate a face on the front of containers

Have children discuss how they could grow grass "hair." Decorate pots and give them names. Next, prepare to plant by scooping soil into containers (remember to count!) and adding grass seed (cover with a light layer of soil). Water (mist) and place near a window.

Children will learn:

• How to care for something
  
• To observe, measure, and chart the growth of seed to grass
  
• How many days it took to grow (pull out those garden journals!)
  
• Fine motor skills by cutting the grass hair (this would be a good time to discuss not cutting their own hair or their friends!)

You will need:

• Containers (pots, etc.)
  
• Soil
  
• Seeds or plants
  

Find pots or containers that you can add a good drainage system to or that already have a drainage system. If you would like the pots decorated, such as painting, do so before planting. Encourage children to work together. Now comes the fun part! Ask the children what they would like to grow. Make lists and see what suits your environment best and what you have access to. Do you want to plant from seeds or start from small plants? Always check with a reference to make sure your plants are suitable for young children and are somewhat easy to grow.

Children will learn:

• Math skills by counting scoops of dirt
  
  
• Cooperation skills by working together
  
  
• Science and nature by identifying plants

You will need:

• Ground to work in
  
• Plants and seeds
  
• Tools

Children will learn:

• To prepare the earth/soil (dig, rake, level, weed)
  
• To plant and possibly harvest!
  
• How to care and be responsible for their plant/garden (by watering, weeding, observing)

Garden Crafts - Creating crafts for the garden is another way to support the gardening experience. Try creating plant markers or garden signs. Decorate wooden craft sticks with designs or by writing the plants name.

You will need:

• Larger wooden craft sticks
  
• Paint or markers (to decorate signs/markers)
  

Children will learn:

• To identify their plant
  
• Use written print to label seed/plant
  
• Use art with gardening

Another idea would be Garden Stones

You will need:

• Large stones or rocks
  
• Paint ( you many want to use permanent paint)

Let the children use their imaginations to create a beautiful garden stone to place in the garden.

Introducing young children to gardening will support many avenues of learning and growing, such as reading, writing, science, nature, math, the arts, and more! Gardening also gives children the opportunity to learn how to care and nurture a living thing. Give them the tools, dig deep and watch how their garden grows!

Assignments

1. List three things children will learn from gardening.


2. Describe an indoor gardening activity you can do with the children.


3. Describe an outdoor gardening activity you can do with the children.


4. Describe how to be safe in gardening with young children.

Resources
Gardening books for adults working with children:

A Child’s Garden: Enchanting Spaces for Children and Parents, by Molly Dannemaier, ISBN#0684837250, published by Simon and Schuster.

A Child’s Garden: Introducing your Child to the Joys of the Garden, by Elizabeth St. Cloud, ISBN# 0316609439, published by Little Brown and Company.

Internet sources:
http://gardentimeonline.com