Children are the adults of tomorrow. This, although we know it is logical, can sometimes give us the feeling that it is not given due importance. Therefore, in Jardinería On We are going to give you tips so that the little ones in the house learn to care for and respect plants.
Always taking into account their age, surely these plant care tips for kids They will be very useful so that you can enjoy gardening as a family.
Teach them to water the plants
The youngest children, 3 years old, enjoy taking water from the sea with their shower and filling the pools they have made on the beach. You may have done it yourself from time to time. So why not teach them to water the plants?
That same watering can is filled with a little water and they are told which pots or plants they have to water while explaining why it is important to do it from time to time. Of course, you only have to add the amount they can carry, taking into account their age and body, since for example a 10-year-old child does not have the same strength as a 4-year-old.
You have to be very careful with this, and when in doubt, always add less. If it happens that you have to water a plant that is in a large pot and we see that the water that the child has in the shower is insufficient, we will fill it again, or if it is older, we will encourage him to fill it himself.
By the way, If you are not sure which are the best plants for children, here is a list:
- Aromatic: basil, rosemary, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, coriander, mint, mint, citronella.
- Flowers: petunias, carnations, marigolds, geraniums, gerberas, pansies, violets, verbenas.
- Orchard: strawberries, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes.
- Ornamental: ribbon, christmas cactus, tradescantia, Kentia, Areca, Aspidistra.
Let them accompany you to the garden or patio
Children learn by imitation. If you let them accompany you when you go to the garden or the patio to take care of your plants, it is very possible that on the least expected day you will find them inspecting the leaves for pests or removing dry leaves and / or wilted flowers.
It would not be unusual for a child to enjoy gardening watching their parents take care of their plants. I myself have many memories of my mother taking care of the garden and her rose bushes during my childhood. Fortunately, these are tasks that she continues to do today, and with which we can continue to enjoy together. And it is that doing activities as a family is very good at any age.
Explain why they are important
Plants are very important for humans but also for the planet. Thanks to them we can breathe, obtain furniture, paper and a great variety of things and medicines; without forgetting that they maintain a more or less pleasant temperature. All this can be learned by children so that they know why they have to take care of themselves.
Also, little ones are naturally curious. It is important that, as parents, grandparents, or uncles, we talk about these things, satisfying their curiosity. And it is not the same to say, simply, "the trees provide shade", or that "the trees provide shade, but they also serve as a refuge for forest animals."
Even if they are small children we can make up stories, of gnomes that live in the trunks, or of fairies that fly over the tops of the highest plants for example. I know it well: magic and those characters do not exist, but when we are children it is not enough for our elders to feed our imagination. That stimulates creativity, which is what will come in handy so that, together, you can design a more colorful and lively garden.
Performs activities related to plants
Once they have assumed some knowledge about plants, you can encourage them to make, for example, a mural. In it they can place images of products that are made from plants, or with images of them.
Another thing you can do are flower beds or beds. Get a few, like petunias, primroses, marigolds, and / or gerberas, put on some gardening gloves and start planting them. First of all, you have to find an area for them where there is a lot of clarity, because only then can they flourish. And then it's just a matter of combining them as you like best.
Don't miss out on aromatic plants! Lavender, rosemary, thyme, parsley, basil ... They all have different but very pleasant smells, that is why they cannot be missing in a garden or patio where there are minors. In addition, they can be sown in pots, planters, or in the ground.
Would you like to have a garden? Undoubtedly, there is nothing like taking care of edible plants to know how important gardening is. Prepare the seedlings, water them, and watch the seedlings grow; then peel them and plant them in pots or on the ground, and from there keep them until they are ready to harvest. There is a proverb that says “give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach him to fish and you will feed him for life ”; as well, If you teach them to sow and take care of their crops, you will give them the opportunity to grow their own food for life.
All in all, we encourage you as a parent to teach your children how wonderful gardening is.