Help Kids Thrive by Growing Their Green Thumb

Summer may be winding down but there is still time to plant some seeds.  With harvest festivals just around the corner it is the perfect time to take your planting inside and let your kids see how plants grow before you head out to the corn maze.  In this guest post we look at teaching our kids about how things grow as a fun way to teach them more than you might have imagined.

Help Kids Thrive by Growing their Green Thumb

As a parent, you spend a lot of time thinking about what you can do to teach your children to thrive. You also spend a lot of time thinking about what you can do to fill the next five minutes, hour, and afternoon to make it to bedtime.

Even if you don't have a green thumb, one idea that addresses both issues, regardless of where you live, is to spend some time each day growing plants and flowers together. But how does that help kids thrive?

It Teaches Responsibility

Greenery typically needs daily care. Most kids are accustomed to self-care like clearing their dishes and brushing their teeth, but unless you have a pet, they probably haven't been given a chance to care for something else on a daily basis. Work with children to water plants, trim dead branches and cut beautiful flowers. Eventually, cede responsibility to them to remember to water the plants. If they skip a few days of watering, the plants begin to die. What better, low-risk way to show cause and effect and reinforce the importance of sticking with a daily routine?

It Teaches Basic Science & Shows How the World Works Together

An easy way to introduce your children to science is to dig back to your own elementary schooling and walk them through the basic parts of a flower. The Missouri Botanical Garden provides a comprehensive, simple website to remind you all about the pistil and stamen—which is a much simpler conversation than the birds and the bees.

By planting a variety of flowering plants, you can also plan to attract a variety of wildlife. Some flowers attract hummingbirds—others attract bees. When you see these creatures, you can explain the relationship between animals and plants, and how the world is a cycle. Some plants and flowers provide food for the animals, and in exchange, the animals unwittingly help spread pollen for the plants. We all depend on one another in this world.

It Moderates Moods

There is a reason people bring home flowers as a romantic gesture. If you don't already have flowering bouquets sprinkled throughout your home, take a look at the arrangements from FTD and see how your mood changes when you look at the colorful bouquets. Place vases of flowers strategically around your home to boost your mood, like in the bedroom, home office and kitchen.

Beyond the simple pleasure of seeing beautiful flowers, being physically involved in planting, watering, fertilizing, and cutting plants introduces an element of exercise. Studies have shown that five minutes of "green exercise," which includes working in a backyard garden, stimulates improvement in one's mood and sense of personal well-being. Besides, anything that draws kids away from the TV is a fabulous thing.

So how do you go about starting your garden? Look at resources like the Internet4Classrooms website on plants, and decide with your children which plants and flowers you want to grow. When planning your garden, think about including plants native to your region, because they will need less maintenance and are adapted to the wildlife in your area. Plan a family trip to the gardening store to get some basic supplies like soil, mulch, trowels, gloves, and a watering can. If you are planting any herbs or vegetables, go online to places like SeedsNow to choose organic, non-GMO seeds for as low as 99 cents per pack, or pick regular seeds up at any garden center. If you want to start small, buy a few pots and claim a little outdoor space to see how your family adapts to the gardening way of life!