Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their own garden patch and a spot to dig. Children love getting their hands dirty and watching things grow.
Be sure to buy good quality, child sized gardening tools. Plastic toy versions just won't hold up to the task. You will also need children's gloves and a watering can.
Mark off the garden area and turn the soil. Kids can help break up any lumps with their hands. Work in some organic compost.
Choose seeds that will grow quickly. Small children get impatient if their plants take too long to sprout. Radishes, Snapdragons, Cosmos, and Sunflowers will all germinate quickly. Carrots and strawberries are also easy to grow-- and yummy to eat.
Large seeds like beans and Morning Glories are easy for small fingers to push into the ground. You can start your seeds indoors in an eggshell carton. When the seedlings are an inch high, tear off the egg carton, and leaving the soil intact, transplant the seedlings outside.
Or, try placing beans on a wet paper towel inside a zip top bag. Tape the bag to a sunny window and wait for the seeds to germinate. I can remember, as a child, checking my beans every morning before school. The first shoots appeared to my delight and we carefully transplanted the beans outdoors.
Make garden markers by painting small rocks. This will help kids keep track of their selections.
Make it fun! Grow a sunflower house by planting the sunflowers in a circle with a space in the middle big enough for your kids to hide. Be sure to leave room for a door.
Grow a spaghetti garden. Plant herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary, and parsley. My kids love to snip fresh herbs. They stuff their pockets full of scented "spaghetti" herbs.
Share your garden with butterflies and hummingbirds. Zinnias, Verbena, and Cosmos are butterfly favorites. Hummingbirds love the nectar from Nasturtium and Lantana, and Hollyhocks.
Children love to pick up bugs and worms. Poke holes in the top of an old jar. Add some dirt and a few, new found specimens. Be sure to release the critters back into nature after a few hours.
Arm your kids with cameras to take photos throughout the summer. They will enjoy remembering the fruits of their labor. And, the pictures will help your budding gardener plan for next year.
Happy planting. And, don't forget to pick a few bouquets for mom.
You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, free of charge, provided that each article is:
1. Printed in its full form with no changes
2. Includes an active link
3. And the following byline appears at the bottom of each article: About the Author: Rondi Hillstrom Davis is the co-author of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out her website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit http://www.togetherparenting.com
To subscribe to her online newsletter, go to http://www.togetherparenting.com
Please send us a courtesy copy of your publication to the above contact
Contact: info@togetherparenting.com
Copyright Nine Twenty Press
About the Author: Rondi Hillstrom Davis is the co-author of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out her website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit http://www.togetherparenting.com
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carThe hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
Very often, new parents rely on a parenting tip or... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent more than the... Read More
Recess has begun disappearing in states all around the country.... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for... Read More
Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
What are we teaching our children about money? Hopefully something!I... Read More
In the wonderment of childhood, it is easier for a... Read More
Family decision-making is an intriguing phenomenon. Many factors become part... Read More
The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of all... Read More
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
Having a high level of emotional intelligence in your children... Read More
Do any other reality TV junkies remember a show on... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
The brightly colored plastic mobile dangles lazily overhead in the... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More
O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison... Read More
So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
We need a grass roots campaign targeted towards parents to... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A... Read More
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that... Read More
Research published by University of Rochester neuroscientists C. Shawn Green... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
A tall, weary-looking mother with glasses, walked into my counseling... Read More
Is it hard to communicate with your teenager about issues... Read More
The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
One of the most important aspects of parenting, is ensuring... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
Parenting |