Kids are busy! School, piano lessons, dance classes, martial arts, sports camps/games/practices/weekend tournaments, religious education, play dates… Opinions seem to vary widely among my family and friends on exactly how “scheduled” our kids should be. Is it better for our kids to have a scheduled activity every evening? Or, are the kids better off with more free time?
To me, it seems most activities have positive aspects to offer our children. Kids can learn confidence, endurance, patience and work ethic. They learn to lead, and how to contribute as a team member. They learn to push themselves and improve. All good things. As our kids grow, we hope they develop a love for music, athletics, and the arts, just as they develop a love of learning in the classroom.
Much as there is to learn in the controlled chaos of our “scheduled activities,” I’m a big believer that the quiet, everyday moments offer ample learning opportunities too. Those moments spent in the kitchen, or digging in the garden can be equally unforgettable.
Here’s my top 5 list of lessons kids can learn from gardening. What’s on your list?
- If you don’t add water, it won’t grow.
- It’s okay to get your hands dirty.
- Pull the weeds, or they will take over.
- It takes time to see growth. Not everything happens as fast as we want.
- Sometimes you don’t get the harvest you were hoping for, and sometimes you get a surplus. Be grateful for what you harvest and learn for next time.
