Who doesn’t like getting their hands dirty or digging in the dirt? You will be surprised to learn how gardening aids in child development and provides benefits in addition to fun in the great outdoors! According to Dana Brumm, Curriculum Specialist for Ebenezer Child Care Centers, with locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and West Allis/Wauwatosa, “Gardening is an outlet that allows the natural curiosity of young children to flourish.”
Connecting With Nature
Research has shown that gardening is good for people of all ages, because it helps connect them with nature.
“There are certain sensory-rich experiences that only gardening can provide,” says Brumm. “When you work the earth’s soil in your hands, you relieve stress and positively impact your mood and psychological well-being.” Incorporating sensory exploration is easy in the garden.
Eating Healthier
Gardening also encourages families to lead healthier lives. The process itself provides fun, engaging, moderate exercise. In addition, it is a very rewarding experience for children to be able to eat what they personally help grow.
Brumm says, “There is nothing like picking and eating a ripe cherry tomato from the vine. It is so juicy and fresh, that children get a whole new perspective of how delicious vegetables can be.”
Likewise, when a family cooks their harvested vegetables together and then sits down to enjoy a meal, they reap the rewards of their efforts in a way that encourages leading a healthy lifestyle.
Teaching Responsibility
Finally, Brumm says an added benefit of gardening is that it provides parents with a wonderful opportunity to teach children responsibility and patience.
“Plants require a great deal of attention. Learning how to care for the plants properly is a great lesson in responsibility. Children can be responsible for planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting. This responsibility will come with rewards when children begin to reap the benefits of their work by enjoying the vegetables they grew themselves!
Ebenezer Child Care Centers is a not-for-profit, locally based agency committed to providing early childhood programs from the heart. The agency prides itself on being different from other child care providers in that it offers a home-like atmosphere; individualized, nurturing care; and a structured curriculum that is virtues-based for every child’s developmental stage.
Every Ebenezer Child Care Center focuses on all aspects of a child’s development: cognitive, physical, emotional, and social. In addition to providing quality care, the agency also offers other educational programming all aimed at helping parents.
The agency has locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and West Allis/Wauwatosa. The agency’s main office is located at 1138 S. 108th Street, West Allis. For more information, please visit the agency’s website at www.ebenezerchildcare.com.
