Thursday, November 15, 2007

Kids, Nature, Gardening and Landscape - A Communication Connection

Kids, Nature, Gardening and Landscape - A Communication Connection
By Keith Markensen

The best way to ensure having as healthy of an environment as possible is to educate children about it. If children are involved each day in activities where they directly involved with the environment, they will gain respect for nature. A great activity for this is gardening. Your children should get involved with gardening for the following reasons:

Science

When a child sees a seed grow into a plant, they are taught in a direct way how nature works. They will learn about the plants life cycle and how it won't live if humans neglect it. Children will be curious and enjoy this experience very much.

Life

Life should be treated with care. Through gardening, watching a tree grow from a seed into maturity, for example, can help teach kids this. You can explain to them the similarities between the trees growth and their own, or the growth of people in general. In addition, they will see that plants need water, sunlight, air, and soil to live. Through this, they will gain an understanding that in order to live, humans need food, water, shelter, and air. Pulling weeds can show them how to stay away from bad influences that can overtake their lives.

Relaxation

No matter how old a person is, gardening can reduce stress because of its calming effect. It's a quiet, natural place that stimulates all five senses. If a child is from a broken home or has been abused, gardening can be a great form of therapy. It can help to build their self-esteem.

Quality Time with the Family

The time spent working on your garden with your family will definitely be quality time. While you are working, you can talk to each other about what you are doing or about life in general. Even working quietly near each other is beneficial. You can learn a lot about each other in this environment. Include the kids in your garden and landscape design plan at your home.

Through gardening, a child can learn how to care for and respect life, while at the same time giving them a chance to bond with you. They will remember and appreciate the lessons learned in the garden forever.

Teaching kids to appreciate nature is a wonderful legacy to pass on. Simply making them a part of your home landscape design plan. is a great starting point. Find out the steps to start planning your landscape at http://www.plant-care.com/landscape-design-plans.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Markensen

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