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Writer's pictureAngela Russ-Ayon

16 Benefits of Gardening in Early Childhood

Updated: Aug 20, 2023


Whether your garden is a pot in the kitchen, a raised planter, or a plot of land, young children will reap many benefits from what they sow. Introduce young children to this wonderful STEM experience and top it off with an adorable picture book on the subject.

  1. Gives children an opportunity to design and create a gardening space.

  2. A socioemotional experience - children work cooperatively toward a positive outcome.

  3. Has a therapeutic calming effect because it's an outdoor, fresh air activity, disconnected from electronics and the stress of life (Netherlands study).

  4. Engages all senses - a sensorimotor experience.

  5. Shows children that much of what they eat is grown.

  6. Leads to increased food preparation after harvest.

  7. Encourages the consumption of fresh produce. Research shows that children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

  8. Engages children and adults in moderate exercise and physical activity: bending, twisting, stretching, lifting, pulling, reaching. Improves fine motor skills, hand strength, and dexterity.

  9. Teaches patience, responsibility, and a sense of confidence.

  10. Children experience a scientific process that pays off.

  11. Helps develop planning, STEM, and analytical abilities.

  12. Introduces the sciences: life, earth, and physical sciences  -  botany, biology, and chemistry. Provides an opportunity to examine the world around us: weather, temperature, insects, animals, etc.

  13. Explores the limits of natural resources and the importance of using them carefully.

  14. Highlights the importance of taking care of the environment.

  15. Provides sunshine on the skin and helps the body make Vitamin D! Vitamin D helps our bodies use calcium, keeps our bones strong, and helps us fight diseases.

 

Author of: Fruits and Veggies Row by Row: A Picture Book about Children Planting and Tending a Garden


Angela Russ-Ayon is a mom-preneur, children’s author, interactive trainer on the subject of early childhood, and award-winning artist/producer of music for young children. She presents educational strategies to child care providers, parents, and teachers nationwide for AEYCs, R & Rs, and the like. She is a member of the Recording Academy and is the sole owner of Russ InVision Records. For more information on Angela, her workshops, and her accomplishments you are welcome to visit www.abridgeclub.com. © 2021, Russ InVision. All rights reserved.


Find out more about Angela Russ-Ayon and her affordable interactive keynote and workshop presentations coast-to-coast on the subjects of early childhood development, STEM (science and math), open-ended questions, and family engagement. Visit her training page.


AbridgeClub.com offers fun songs and physical activities for distance learning, virtual classes, webinars, child care facilities, after-school programs, homeschooling, preschools, daycare centers, kindergarten classes, or rainy-day recesses.

For information: Contact: Angela Russ-Ayon

Phone: 562-421-1836

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