Getting Kids Outside in the Garden Makes Learning Fun!

Getting kids outside in the garden makes learning fun!

Gardening invites children to participate in hands-on learning, engaging their innate wonder and care for the natural world while teaching them where their food comes from. Gardening allows us to spend time outdoors, breathing in fresh air, taking in the sunshine, and nurturing our own connection with the earth. Studies have shown that children who garden are smarter, happier and more confident in their abilities.

There is nothing quite like witnessing miracles of nature: sprouting life from seeds and watching them grow! As children water and care for the plants they learn responsibility, patience as they wait for their vegetables and flowers to grow, and even loss when at the end of the season a plant bares no more fruit and the flowers wilt.



Here are some reasons why we love gardening at Eden Prairie Montessori...

Gardening kee ps kids active:

Gardening is the perfect activity for growing bodies. Children love taking an active role in getting their hands in the dirt and water, and while doing so the body is given the chance to build up and strengthen its immunity. The simple act of digging in the ground and moving things around helps build muscles and improve hand-eye coordination. Gardening is a fun, productive activity for energetic kids.

Gardening is good for your well-being:

Studies find that children who garden have reduced amounts of anxiety, stress and tend to be in a better mood. Spending time outdoors in nature is powerful for restoring a sense of well-being and balance. Sensory interaction with plants, such as touching and smelling, can reduce physiological and psychological stress. We love to see the positive and life-changing experiences plants and gardening brings to children.

Gardening act ivates a child's senses and motor skills:



Interacting with nature encourages the learning process. In addition to being able to touch the soil and seeds, children can also spot the differences between plants, in terms of size and color, smell different scents, and hear sounds of different insects. Playing with soil, gardening tools and water buckets, digging, planting, watering, pulling out weeds stimulate movements of the body, particularly arms and hands. These activities help with the development of motor skills, and through their own experiences, children learn what is difficult and what is easy, big or small, smooth or rough, warm or cold, wet or dry.

Gardening is beneficial to picky eaters:

Kids who garden are more likely to eat the vegetables and fruit they’ve helped grow! Planting seeds, caring for and growing produce, then harvesting it piques a child’s interest. A good way to overcome picky eating tendencies is to incorporate some fruit and vegetables that your child has not tasted (or some that aren't their favorite), and encourage them to try something fresh that they grew. It's exciting to introduce the new or disliked food in another way, and over time they will learn to try new foods and different ways to eat it.

Gardening promotes team-building and connection:

While in the garden, communication skills are improved and new vocabulary is learned. Having responsibility promotes a feeling of self-worth and responsibility in children. They develop a connection to the earth and a need to care for our planet. Also, children learn the importance of consistency- this is learned very quickly after a few missed days of watering or weeding.

Kids gardening offers wonderful and amazing opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow!

Get more tips on 'Gardening, Montessori Style!' in our previous blog post:

https://www.edenprairiemontessori.com/gardening-montessori-style

Now, let's get outside and garden!

Discover Self -Paced Learning Exploration at Eden Prairie Montessori…

Our staff believe that preschool is not just about fun and learning, but about how children explore and develop new skills. The Montessori method of learning means your preschooler will enjoy structured, multi-sensory materials for exploratory learning and development.

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For over 20 years, our attentive staff has been creating fun, student-centered daycare learning experiences for Eden Prairie.

To learn more about our summer program, book a tour by contacting a member of our staff at (952) 944-8466