Baby isn’t the only one around your home who’s growing like a weed! If you’re a gardener, a seed of curiosity about what goes on in the yard has probably already been planted for Baby, since your mysterious interests are some of their favorite subjects. Gardening together is a fun way to connect, and to help them begin to understand where all that yummy food on their plate comes from – or, well, some of it.
If you’re interested in helping your little gardener sprout a new interest, strategies to try include:
- Play favorites: Before you get started in the garden, let Baby come to the store with you and pick out certain plants or foods you could grow that they especially like. This will help them feel involved from the very beginning, and give them an idea of what to look forward to from the very beginning of the growing process.
- Start indoors: Let Baby help in the early stages by having them water the little seedlings inside. Once they get the hang of it, they will be a pro by the time it’s time to switch to outdoor work.
- Get planting: Once it’s time to transfer the seeds, ask Baby where in the garden they think they should be placed. They will appreciate having some input and will be excited their opinion is being considered.
- Choose kid-sized tools: Get Baby a set of their own gardening tools to help out alongside you. Small shovels and rakes will keep them busy while you get down to business.
- Watering fun: Toddlers love water on a hot day, so let them take over watering duty with their own watering can. they may enjoy watering the garden, or just filling and dumping the can. Either way, it’s all in good fun.
- Plant something exciting: For little ones, bigger is usually better. Watching the garden grow as a toddler can be a bit like watching paint dry as an adult. Fix the problem by planting something big and bright, like a sunflower, that will keep their interest.
- Enjoy the fruits of your labor: There’s just something so much yummier about food that’s grown right outside your door! When your fruits and veggies are ready, be sure to let Baby indulge, reminding them you made it together. They will be proud of their efforts, and encouraged by the reward to stick with their new hobby!
Gardening may feel like more of an adult’s hobby, but it’s a great way for toddlers to get outside, enjoy the sun, and get their hands dirty, too.
