Here are a few detailed findings of the report pertinent to gardening in most settings.
- Tasks such as planting seedlings and tying plants to canes can help to develop children’s fine motor skills.
- The changeable nature of gardening projects and uncertainty e.g. weather and plant disease forced children to become more flexible and think on their feet.
- Waiting for crops to grow taught the value of patience.
- Public praise for a school garden generated a sense of pride.
- A calm outdoor space helped to improve children’s concentration.
- Gardening helped children to take responsibility for their own physical health and diet. Children who grew their own crops displayed a greater willingness to eat new vegetables.
What better reasons are there for you and your children to get gardening. Don’t leave it all to the school.