Playing in Dirt Isn’t Just Fun – It’s Healthy, Too!
By Kimberly Blaker
There’s no question, playing in the dirt tops the list of fun for kids, particularly young children, despite the protests of many well-intended grandparents. If you happen to be one of those worried grandparents, you can put your fears aside.
As it turns out, dirt is actually beneficial to the long-term health of kids, according to a Northwestern University article by Clare Milliken, “Germs at Four Less Inflammation at Forty.” Studies have found that early exposure to certain germs, like those found in dirt, actually helps kids’ immune systems learn to regulate inflammation better. In turn, this exposure reduces kids’ risk for many diseases throughout their lives.
For that reason, a family garden is a perfect opportunity to build your grandkids’ immune systems. Better still, gardening offers lots of other benefits to kids and families.
Through gardening, kids learn to be responsible by caring for their own plants. It’s also a great way to help kids learn about and develop an appreciation for science. Another health benefit is that gardening encourages healthier eating. Not to mention, it’s an excellent activity for bonding with grandkids.
So gather up your grandkids and gardening supplies, head outdoors, and get ready for some dirt-filled fun.
Getting Started
First, decide where to plant your garden. Then allow a small space for your grandchild to have his or her own garden, too. This will help build enthusiasm for the garden and encourage him or her to take ownership and responsibility for it. Having their own garden can be exciting and rewarding for kids because they know that they, alone (or with minimal help), grew those little seeds into a marvelous plant.
Next, decide what to plant. For young children, consider fast-growing plants they are familiar with. Little kids also love plants that are colorful or have strong scents.
If your grandkids are older, let them choose what they want to grow. But keep in mind your grandchild’s personality. If he tends to be impatient, suggest plants that are easy to care for and grow quickly.
As you proceed in planning and preparation, include your grandchild in it as much as possible. Remember, this stage is as much fun for kids as it is for grandparents and helps build kids’ enthusiasm. Also, let your grandkids help you draw up the garden plan. If they’re old enough, they can also create their own shopping list.
When you go shopping for the supplies, take your grandkids along and let them pick out their own seeds and gardening tools. For the safety of young children, look for kids’ gardening tools made of durable plastic.
Planting Your Garden
In you begin planting, show how to plant the seeds and space them apart correctly. Then have your grandchild water the seeds as directed.
To help your grandchild take responsibility for his or her own garden, put a daily gardening task list on the refrigerator.
Also, to help your grandchild maintain enthusiasm, suggest keeping a garden log. Kids can have fun recording the date of plantings, each day’s gardening activities, when each plant sprouts, the amount of growth of the plants, and the harvesting.
Finally, after harvesting, have your grandchild help you prepare the vegetables. Try different ways of preparing or cooking them to help your grandkid develop a life-long love for fresh, healthy veggies.
Books on Gardening With Kids
To get your family’s gardening project off on the right foot, consider an age-appropriate book. This will also help build your grandchild’s enthusiasm. To help make your family garden a success, a book for grandparents is included below as well.
The Little Gardener by Jan Gerardi (ages 3-4)
The Little Gardener by Emily Hughes (ages 3-7)
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner (ages 5-8)
Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children by Sharon Lovejoy (ages 4-10)
Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden by Renata Brown (ages 8-12)
The Book of Gardening Projects for Kids: 101 Ways to Get Kids Outside, Dirty, and Having Fun by Whitney Cohen (for grandparents)
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online store, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com.
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