According to a report back in October 2011, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) found that there has been a “lost generation” of gardeners. The report reveals how their Grandparents, rather than their parents are teaching children gardening. Do you agree with this (please comment below) ? To see the full report follow this link:
If you are a parent of young children, who want to teach them how to ‘grow things’, then please see the list of links at the bottom of this page. These links are just a handful of reputable places in the UK to find information about gardening with children.
Two questions that are frequently asked by parents of young children are:
How do I make gardening fun for my child?
Very often, if you are a keen gardener then your passion will shine through; so don’t worry too much about making it fun all the time. Children of all ages are usually very much in ore of the way seedlings come up, (remember when you grew your first cress)? They marvel at how a stalk from a plant grows ‘roots’. Take one step at a time and let your child ‘find’ the joys of growing things, for themselves. You could try cutting out a small ‘shaped’ plot from your lawn, or buy some brightly coloured containers (it doesn’t have to be a plot of land, to start with). Even quirky things can work; like an old wooden play box that has seen better days, but crucially, belonged to them, could be just the inspiration a child needs to get started.
How do I stop my child getting bored with gardening?
Very young children like to see visual achievements quickly, (have you noticed how speedily a two year old will draw you a picture)? So if your child can see something in their garden ‘instantly’, they are more likely to wait for the rest of it to grow. This can be achieved by putting an instant ‘stamp’ on your child’s garden. A small garden ornament, a windmill on a stick or even a birdbath are some of the things that will give interest and make the garden fun.
Slightly older children will spend more time on things. They are more concerned about learning the ‘right’ way to do a task. They still will not have the patience of an adult, to wait for things to grow; so make things easy for them and they will want to do it again. Grow plants that are quick to mature, whether flowers or vegetables. Grow things they like to eat too, (it’s not much use growing a prize beetroot if your child hates them).
Above all, let them see success, not failure in the early days (even if that means taking out the lettuces that were eaten by the caterpillars, and replacing them with supermarket ones)! Sorry, I know that 's unethical, but it’s all in a good cause.
Places to go for help on 'gardening with children'
Article written by Elizabeth C (Liz) - author and administrator to this blog
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