Gardening is a great first project!
I don't care where you live, you can grow something. It can be a windowsill herb garden, a tomato plant in a pot, a raised bed in the corner of your yard or a full-fledged farm!
What it teaches:
Start Small
I really recommending letting each child pick one specific vegetable or herb to learn about as well as grow and nurture. As a homeschooling parent, I like the added benefit of science thrown into gardening. You can certainly take it to many different levels. However, if you take on too much to quickly, they will probably become overwhelmed and quit.
Plan Well
Help them pick something hardy, correct for their location, and preferably, something they will eat.
Note: I have seen kids who won't eat a carrot from a grocery store consume their own homegrown carrots quite happily!
Decide where, when, what and how before you actually start planting. Researching something before taking on a task could be an added lesson here.
Teamwork
Try to make it a fun team project with a very positive atmosphere. This is a time to point out that work can be strenuous and tiring but we can still have a great attitude while doing it (their future boss will thank you). Remember, especially for little ones, they haven't seen the fruits of their labor and won't for some time. Help tide them over by trying to make the work fun.
Harvest the Knowledge and Plant
Remind them that everything we consume is provided by people working hard. Even if it's the hardworking parent making the money to buy the food from the hardworking farmer, work is still involved to get what we need and want. Help them see the whole process of planning, working, waiting and reaping by tie all the lessons together as you dine on your feast.
I don't care where you live, you can grow something. It can be a windowsill herb garden, a tomato plant in a pot, a raised bed in the corner of your yard or a full-fledged farm!
What it teaches:
- Planning
- Responsibility
- Work Ethic
- Patience
- Rewards for work and waiting
Start Small
I really recommending letting each child pick one specific vegetable or herb to learn about as well as grow and nurture. As a homeschooling parent, I like the added benefit of science thrown into gardening. You can certainly take it to many different levels. However, if you take on too much to quickly, they will probably become overwhelmed and quit.
Plan Well
Help them pick something hardy, correct for their location, and preferably, something they will eat.
Note: I have seen kids who won't eat a carrot from a grocery store consume their own homegrown carrots quite happily!
Decide where, when, what and how before you actually start planting. Researching something before taking on a task could be an added lesson here.
Teamwork
Try to make it a fun team project with a very positive atmosphere. This is a time to point out that work can be strenuous and tiring but we can still have a great attitude while doing it (their future boss will thank you). Remember, especially for little ones, they haven't seen the fruits of their labor and won't for some time. Help tide them over by trying to make the work fun.
Harvest the Knowledge and Plant
Remind them that everything we consume is provided by people working hard. Even if it's the hardworking parent making the money to buy the food from the hardworking farmer, work is still involved to get what we need and want. Help them see the whole process of planning, working, waiting and reaping by tie all the lessons together as you dine on your feast.