Few things are more important when it comes to gardening then engaging our children in the process. I’ll go so far as to

say it is the best single learning opportunity available for them, bar none, because every academic educational discipline

and social developmental skill can be addressed through the experiential processes of gardening.

In addition, gardening gets children back outside where they belong, to enjoy nature and all that it has to offer. It gets

them away from indoor, instant gratification devices that deprive them of the opportunity to connect with the natural and real world, rather than the artificial one they live in vicariously through game boys, iPods and the Internet.

In a garden, children can breath fresh air, discover bugs, watch things grow and experience what homegrown, organic

food really tastes like. They can play in a place where they use their hands and connect with the earth and think and plan

and hope and wonder.

In a garden, children can connect with their friends and engage their parents. Real conversations can happen in a garden between brothers and sisters, parents and children, friends and even strangers. And in a garden, strangers don’t remain

so for very long.

Here, there are conversations about life and even death, in a way that doesn’t seem so awful. In a garden, children can

learn cause and effect and even patience and the sweet taste of victory. They can learn that life isn’t always fair but with a little tender loving care, they can often influence the outcome of their actions.

In a garden, children learn to be more accepting of the many surprises that life has to offer. Gardens are the great equalizers of life and ultimately it’s a safe place to be reminded that even when you think you’re in control, you’re not and

that all humans really are created equal.

Yes, I believe if all children had a garden in which to play, they’d learn important life skills and be rewarded academically

in the process. They’d respect the sanctity of life, the awesomeness of nature, the love of family and friends and take passionate ownership in knowing that their daily actions really can make a difference for a sustainable future.

Who would have thought that engaging a child in gardening could make such a difference? What are you doing

to help make that happen?