By Aleta Damm
Anyone who knows me knows that I have had a fascination with science forever. So how did it start? That is easy. It all started with my mom. My mom told me that when I was very young, she would take me on walks and to explore. We would look at leaves together, play in the dirt, and collect fireflies and rocks. Exploring is how toddlers learn. They are very tactile little humans. This is a time in life when synapses in the brain are making thousands of connections. Gardening is a great way for toddlers to explore their world. The thought can be very intimidating. I am blessed to have an almost four-year-old granddaughter, and here are a few things you can try.
Choose plants that are easy to grow. When gardening with toddlers, success is important. You are going to want to pick plants to grow that will lead to success. Marigolds are a great flower to start with. You can plant seeds in a relatively small container, and they will do well even if watering and care are not consistent. Herbs are another great idea. Not only are they relatively easy to grow, but children will love cooking with the plants that they grew. Another consideration is larger seeds. It is much easier for smaller hands to handle larger seeds. Planting pumpkins may be a fun option.
Child-size tools. Small hands require small tools. In order to set your toddler up for success, you are going to want to make sure that they have the appropriate size tools. Toddlers get frustrated very easily. Adult-size tools are difficult for a young child to use. Try setting them up with their own little gardening bag. They can go to the store and help pick out their own tools to fill their bag, giving them inclusion and ownership. Using the appropriate size tools can set you and your toddler up for success—and plus, they are so cute.
Decorate pots to grow plants in. Help your toddler create their own little container garden. Buy some smaller-size pots and get out the paints. This will give them a chance to be creative in decorating their own little garden. It is smaller in size, so they will not be overwhelmed.
Have them help with watering. Children by nature love to play with water, so taking advantage of that just makes sense. Having a small watering can in their gardening bag is a great way to get them involved. This can lead to a variety of science discussions, including how things grow. It is also a great way to introduce responsibility. Having to take care of a plant is a significant first step to more complex responsibilities. Watering is a great fine motor skill. Having them cross from their left side to their right side also helps with eye-hand coordination.
I would like to leave you with this. The toddler years can be a very challenging time for both parent and child. Children are trying to find their place in the world, they often lack the ability to express themselves, and want to be independent. Gardening is a great way to get them outdoors, boost their self-esteem, and give them a sense of accomplishment.