Why Gardening Is Great For Connecting Grandparents And Grandchildren
For grandparents who enjoy container gardening, growing vegetables, or maintaining beautiful flowerbeds, the experience and knowledge gained over the years can be shared with their grandchildren and establish life long memories in the process. As young children are intuitively drawn to the wonder of nature, their hobbyist grandparents have a real opportunity to create a warm inter generational experience. Lets face it, what child doesnt love playing in the dirt, so gardening is the perfect occasion to have a bit of fun with grandma. In order to get them enthused about their own special garden, it is a good idea to start small and use the proper gardening tools, so jobs are manageable.
Benefits of gardening together
There are so many gardening activities that a grandchild and a grandparent can share. Unfortunately, todays youngsters raised indoors on PlayStation and fast food are not as used to the physical demands gardening requires; so gardening tasks need to be carefully introduced and not forced. No matter how challenging the physical task co-gardening offers a number of benefits for all who participate.
It creates lasting memories: Whenever a grandchild is born in a family, the grandparents can plant a tree in their name. By doing so, the idea of gardening is introduced at an early age as care for the tree becomes the first gardening activity that both Grandmother and child can share in. They can take a photograph by the tree each year during their respective birthdays. It is important to remember dating the photos and then filing them to get a visual record of the grandchild's growth alongside the tree. The photos will capture memories that will last the childs entire life.
It is fun for both: Participating in gardening activities can provide a lot of fun opportunities for the grandchild and grandparent. In addition, it creates an opening for interaction between the two, considering that they probably do not live together and therefore do not meet often. By working together in a garden, it not only gives them a chance to have fun, but also spend quality time with one another.
Types of Gardens to Consider
Experienced gardener-grandparents should take extra time to consider the differences between gardens that will satisfy an adult vs. a childs interests. The two perspectives are different. Along this line focusing on organic gardening approaches will prevent exposure to harmful pesticides. Even though natural fertilizers build the soil, you would not want your grandchild sucking his fingers after coming into contact with it, so take care.
Choosing the right type of garden for a grandchild is much easier than eliminating aphids. Therefore, if the grandparent practices horticulture, then that is the path that the grandchild should follow. Small container gardens are manageable for aging bodies and growing children but a small outdoor plot will provide more exercise for grandmother and grandchild alike. Whichever option is chosen, be sure to use the right type of gardening equipment for the specific task at hand. Lightweight, ergonomic tools are best for aging joints and easier to manipulate for small hands.
Keeping Children Interested
In the garden, grandparents are advised to create a fun play place for their grandchildren to enjoy. A swing hung from a strong tree branch, or a fountain or sandbox area where the grandchildren can cool their feet after all the summer gardening activities have been completed; makes the work more rewarding and offers something to do while the plants are developing.
Gardening is one of the best activities that grandparents and their grandchildren can share. If you are a parent, suggesting the idea of co-gardening will be seen as one of the better gift ideas for the senior women and men in your life, bringing them closer together and setting in motion a culture of mutual interest within your family.
Benefits of gardening together
There are so many gardening activities that a grandchild and a grandparent can share. Unfortunately, todays youngsters raised indoors on PlayStation and fast food are not as used to the physical demands gardening requires; so gardening tasks need to be carefully introduced and not forced. No matter how challenging the physical task co-gardening offers a number of benefits for all who participate.
It creates lasting memories: Whenever a grandchild is born in a family, the grandparents can plant a tree in their name. By doing so, the idea of gardening is introduced at an early age as care for the tree becomes the first gardening activity that both Grandmother and child can share in. They can take a photograph by the tree each year during their respective birthdays. It is important to remember dating the photos and then filing them to get a visual record of the grandchild's growth alongside the tree. The photos will capture memories that will last the childs entire life.
It is fun for both: Participating in gardening activities can provide a lot of fun opportunities for the grandchild and grandparent. In addition, it creates an opening for interaction between the two, considering that they probably do not live together and therefore do not meet often. By working together in a garden, it not only gives them a chance to have fun, but also spend quality time with one another.
Types of Gardens to Consider
Experienced gardener-grandparents should take extra time to consider the differences between gardens that will satisfy an adult vs. a childs interests. The two perspectives are different. Along this line focusing on organic gardening approaches will prevent exposure to harmful pesticides. Even though natural fertilizers build the soil, you would not want your grandchild sucking his fingers after coming into contact with it, so take care.
Choosing the right type of garden for a grandchild is much easier than eliminating aphids. Therefore, if the grandparent practices horticulture, then that is the path that the grandchild should follow. Small container gardens are manageable for aging bodies and growing children but a small outdoor plot will provide more exercise for grandmother and grandchild alike. Whichever option is chosen, be sure to use the right type of gardening equipment for the specific task at hand. Lightweight, ergonomic tools are best for aging joints and easier to manipulate for small hands.
Keeping Children Interested
In the garden, grandparents are advised to create a fun play place for their grandchildren to enjoy. A swing hung from a strong tree branch, or a fountain or sandbox area where the grandchildren can cool their feet after all the summer gardening activities have been completed; makes the work more rewarding and offers something to do while the plants are developing.
Gardening is one of the best activities that grandparents and their grandchildren can share. If you are a parent, suggesting the idea of co-gardening will be seen as one of the better gift ideas for the senior women and men in your life, bringing them closer together and setting in motion a culture of mutual interest within your family.
