Special Gardening Teaches Responsibility

Responsibility Grounds Kids

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.

-   Abigail Van Buren

One way to teach age appropriate responsibility is to grow some tolerant plants that require little care for little children.

Outdoor Garden

  If you are planting a summer family garden select plants that germinate quickly, produce a crop quickly, and require minimum maintenance other than watering and feeding. There are a few plants that follow those criteria: snap peas, sun flowers, radishes, marigolds, 

Select Plants 

cherry tomatoes, pumpkins, carrots, and potatoes. Read and follow the directions on the package together. Examine the seeds and explain that there is a plant inside. Set plants are also available.

   In the case of potatoes explain that they are tubers, the swollen parts of underground stems. When you plant these tubers, the eyes (stems)will grow to create a new plant. Petunias, pansies, and fragrant herbs are also good choices for young children.

   Families can teach care based on needs like appropriate soil, sunlight, nutrients, enough water on a consistent basis, feeding, and protection from animals, insects, and weeds.

Planting Succulents

  Succulents can be enjoyed year around indoors and are very tolerant. There are 6000 varieties in 25 families. Some of them have flowers. They are beautiful, interesting, and sometimes strange looking arid plants so let the soil completely dry out like a dessert. Then water them like a sudden rain storm one evening and let them totally dry out again for weeks or months.

  To plant, find a large wide bowl or pot preferably with a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Mix a little sand in the potting soil to make it more porous and choose from a large variety of succulents. Children can plant a number of small ones and add tiny natural gravel or stones on top of the soil. They can add a few Lego people, too.

 Avoid high temperatures though.

Enjoy Succulents Year Round

Some of the most popular are hens and chicks, the multi colored rose shaped echeveria, burro’s tail, panda plant, spikey aloe, kalanchoe that has babies on the end of its leaves, curly succulents, rows of beads, baby toes, and many color choices. Succulent cacti should probably be avoided until children are much older.

  The most enjoyable part of succulents may be visiting stores with children and adding to the garden. Tiny ones are usually inexpensive and make great gifts.

 However, if your children like to water, try another child friendly plant like bamboo, not succulents. They come in many varieties and shapes and are fast growing. Whatever the choice, young children will be able to watch over and care for their plants with probable success.

  For more ideas to nurture responsibility see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons pod casts and live, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

Training Family Responsibilities

Helping With Chores Develops Skills 

Your young children will be developing language skills, muscle control, and organizational skills, as well as, the 

positive self- image that comes from helping others. They may not be able to do much at first, but they can help with added responsibility as they grow older. Young children enjoy being included in many household chores and learn important skills at the same time. In addition, young children begin to understand that everyone helps in a family.

Around the House

  Washing Up-- Young children love to use water and soap bubbles to clean silverware, plastic dishes and cups.  Set your little dishwasher up on a sturdy stool at the sink or on the floor.  Show the kids how to wipe off the table and chairs, too.

   Sorting Clothes—This is an extremely important skill. Your children can help you sort the dirty clothes into 

Lot's To Do Around the House

piles of dark and light colors.  Later, when the clothes 

are washed and dried, they can help fold and sort again into piles for each person. Matching socks is an especially good activity for learning about pairs, as well as, the concepts of same and different.

   Dusting, Vacuuming and Sweeping—If you plug in the vacuum, provide a broom and dustpan or Swifter- type sweeper, your preschooler will love to push it around to gather up crumbs and dirt, especially in their own room under the bed. You can work together or make it a game to find little bits and dust bunnies. They can also dust surfaces with a damp cloth.

Cleaning the Car

 Washing the Car— This fun job is a big favorite.  

Train Children To Be Helpful!

Set your young children up with a hose, a bucket full of soapy water and a sponge or rag.  Let them play in the water while they wet and clean and rinse the lower parts of the car with adult supervision. Teach young children the proper steps and washing with a circular motion.

  Children can also clean up crumbs in the seats and dust the inside. Use a damp cloth and avoid harmful cleaners and sprays.

   Give work children can handle depending on their age and understanding. Be ready to finish up or redo later, if they get tired. Let children know you appreciate efforts.  Keep it fun and talk together as you go. Sing or play some music as you work and keep activities positive and short.

   There are many other jobs to train children to be helpful: Raking, sweeping, shoveling, setting the table, providing pet care, stacking magazines, getting the mail, watering plants, separating materials for recycling, working in the garden, and taking out the garbage.
Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

For more science and math STEM adventures go to -  grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30 am and pod casts archived on the site.