All my life, I have seen how my mother kept her balcony so lush green with the natural plants and flower garden. Even though she worked a full time job, she never quit what she loved the most. Gardening. Oh those green visuals. That smell after the rain. I have been in love with nature ever since and the credit goes to my parents. My parents involved me into gardening to a great extent and this skill was passed on to me with utmost love. I still cherish it. And now I make sure my kid gets involved too.
Here’s a picture of my small but cute balcony garden which is practically impossible to maintain in the harsh dry weather of UAE. Due to extreme heat, the plants are hard to grow but I still managed somehow. The plants are like small babies only. With the use of some selective Garden tools, the garden can be managed easily. Some great garden ideas can be found on Pinterest too. If there is no space, then the Community gardens can be taken for example to teach the kids about gardening.
I am doing all this not just for my own interest and love for gardening but also so that:
1. My child would learn this art and skill of gardening that this generation is forgetting.
2. She is responsible to water the plants each day with her toy watering can and thus she is learning to be responsible.
3. She is learning the basics of science through gardening. Like how plants grow, how they need manure, how to not pick them at night.
4. Some where in her rapidly growing brain she is storing the information about oxygen, carbondi oxide and water. These words are like a normal thing for her as she hear them a lot from us.
5. She knows she can grow her own potatoes and carrots herself. The basic kitchen gardening. If encouraged, she will know what is organic and what is not.
6. Each plant has a different type of leaf, flower etc, so its like giving kids a source of practical learning about biology.
7. Different techniques of growing a plant- through seed sprouting, through grafting, through basic branch rooting; can be taught to them easily.
8. Did you notice there was no mention of the screen time. Yes, this is a fun way to keep them away from the TV, I-Pads.
9. Kids know that mother nature is the biggest magician that can grow fruits, flowers, vegetables only if you respect her.
10. When kids touch the soil, the stones and the branches, this helps them greatly with their sensory development and fine motor skills.
11. The dirt is not always dirty. They know this. Kids should be allowed to play and get themselves dirty in the soil as this way they develop immunity.
12. After gardening, teach them to stay germ free by washing their hands with soap and using a sanitizer. Plants grow in dirt, humans don’t. They learn all this.
13. In the end, amongst many other benefits, that we know now also add they learn what is a right thing to do and what is a wrong thing. Like how much should they dig before actually planting a seed for its growth.
Not only gardening with make them love the planet Earth but it will also bond the kid and the parents. The time spent together doing such activities will not be forgotten. I know that much.
To add fun, After watering the plants, I even allow my daughter to jump in the messy muddy puddle she made by overwatering. This way she knows that plants do not require too much water.
A happy kid and happy Earth is what I get in the end.
If you like what I have shared, please pour on your love in the comments.
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Comments
Beau-tee Mail
This is indeed a smart way to engage your kids at home. The beautiful thing is that it gives a sense of belonging to the […] Read MoreThis is indeed a smart way to engage your kids at home. The beautiful thing is that it gives a sense of belonging to the children. Read Less
thetinyherbivore
This is such an amazing skill to teach your kids! We need plants to live and it’s so important to teach our children about plants […] Read MoreThis is such an amazing skill to teach your kids! We need plants to live and it’s so important to teach our children about plants and their importance! Love this so much! Read Less
Socialkids
This is one of the good read and you can also learn about practical benefits of gardening here http://socialkids.ca/practical-benefits-of-gardening-with-kids/
Deepa Jaisingh
to Socialkids
Indeed. Very informative. Thank you.
Ingrid Rizzolo
My Father loved gardening. He would plant roses of every hue. I love flowers but the skill of gardening was not passeed down to me. […] Read MoreMy Father loved gardening. He would plant roses of every hue. I love flowers but the skill of gardening was not passeed down to me. That is a great loss. I am glad you are taking the time to expose your daughter to it. Read Less
Dubai Frame- the time machine of UAE - Mom Is Learning
[…] about Gardening with Kids and tips for moving house with […]
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Ruchie
Kids really learn fast and living with plants is really a fun ...I simply liked the tips and totally agree that dirt is something really […] Read MoreKids really learn fast and living with plants is really a fun ...I simply liked the tips and totally agree that dirt is something really worth at time to improve immunity and get closer to nature Read Less
Deepa Jaisingh
to Ruchie
Yes, reliving my childhood through her. I used to be all muddy and dirty when i was young unless my mom changed my clothes..
Deborah Miranda
Its great to get kids involved in gardening. They learn to appreciate produce and learn so much practically its great for their development
Deepa Jaisingh
to Deborah Miranda
Yes practical and educational. In this time of TV mobiles etc, gardening is such a pleasurable activity to do.
Mahak
I completely agree. My toddler is so interested in plants and I am happy that both his school and daycare encourage children to be involved […] Read MoreI completely agree. My toddler is so interested in plants and I am happy that both his school and daycare encourage children to be involved in gardening. He has planted saplings in both places which he makes a point to water daily. Read Less
Deepa Jaisingh
to Mahak
Thats so good for the kid, even the institutions that you chose is doing a great job with the kids.
forbabynmommy
Thank you for sharing this would really try to do all these activities with my little girl. I think this is great way to Engage […] Read MoreThank you for sharing this would really try to do all these activities with my little girl. I think this is great way to Engage them in daily activities Read Less
Deepa Jaisingh
to forbabynmommy
Isn't this a very wonderful and productive activity?
Princy Khurana
i love gardening and i always ensre that i include my kids when ever i can. we tend to plants and water them together.
Deepa Jaisingh
to Princy Khurana
Super sweet mommy
romagptasinha
Very valid post buddy. I started gardening with my child and since am travelling from tmrw, worried what will happen to them
Deepa Jaisingh
to romagptasinha
I usually give a key to my neighbors or just place all my pots in their place if I am traveling. Treat them like your […] Read MoreI usually give a key to my neighbors or just place all my pots in their place if I am traveling. Treat them like your pets, someone has to water them regularly. Read Less
Shubhreet Kaur (Shubhs)
One thing I really miss living in Bombay apartments is having plants in the house. We hope to shift to a place with a bigger […] Read MoreOne thing I really miss living in Bombay apartments is having plants in the house. We hope to shift to a place with a bigger balcony soon and my biggest excitement about that that I can at least have a balcony garden. I so agree with all the reasons you have listed and I'm glad Karma's school has regular gardening sessions with them. It's a mini farmhouse! :) Bookmarking your post for when I hopefully have plants of my own! :) Read Less
Deepa Jaisingh
to Shubhreet Kaur (Shubhs)
Oh that's lovely. I am elated that i have increased your interest in this awesome venture. Have indoor plants by then.... for a head start.
lifewithmypenguin
What a lovely post! Can't agree more gardening is a great way to grow responsible, reap your own fruits and veggies, etc . I like […] Read MoreWhat a lovely post! Can't agree more gardening is a great way to grow responsible, reap your own fruits and veggies, etc . I like to have one.too. Read Less
Deepa Jaisingh
to lifewithmypenguin
Thanks a lot Pragya. I learned this from my mom and I wish each one should teach their kids. Nature belongs to our future generation […] Read MoreThanks a lot Pragya. I learned this from my mom and I wish each one should teach their kids. Nature belongs to our future generation after all. Read Less
sayeridiary
Wow this is really great. I loved the way you have mentioned the goodness of gardening.
Deepa Jaisingh
to sayeridiary
This means a lot to me, hope to see you teaching your little one garden soon.
Neha
Gardening is a hobby that involves life skills while being a stress buster. Great that you are inculcating this hobby in your child.
Ashvini Naik
This post is absolutely my favorite, Deepa! I grew up in the Gulf & I know how my parents have been passionate about gardening since […] Read MoreThis post is absolutely my favorite, Deepa! I grew up in the Gulf & I know how my parents have been passionate about gardening since my childhood. They used to carry seeds from India during vacation & plant them in our backyard in Saudi Arabia. I never really understood why my mom cared for her plants as though they were he human children. However, as I learnt about how plants help us through my science lessons, I really began to appreciate my parents' passion. Today they care for a huge garden in their Indian home & the first thing they miss while on a holiday is their garden & they worry how they'd survive in their absence. I too have a few potted plants in my flat here in Bangalore that get a bit of sunshine from the balcony. And I really love them & I'm glad that despite me not emphasising so much on them in words my daughter cares for them just like me. Read Less
Shalu Sharma Rathod
This is a great post. I have also started to get plants for y girls every month & they take care of their plants, water […] Read MoreThis is a great post. I have also started to get plants for y girls every month & they take care of their plants, water them, clean them etc. I think this is a great way of learning a lot many values at the same time. Read Less
Charu
Absolutely.!kids learn so much through gardening. My kids enjoy watering the plants and as they are growing they ask multiple questions too related to the […] Read MoreAbsolutely.!kids learn so much through gardening. My kids enjoy watering the plants and as they are growing they ask multiple questions too related to the same. It’s fun to answer them and see them becoming curious about gardening. Read Less