Creating a garden with older children has many benefits while allowing exploration and support for their own interests. Teens especially benefit from spending time in nature: it encourages mindfulness and lessens anxiety. Working in the garden is a complete sensory experience where older children are freed from academic expectations and allowed to observe cause and effect naturally. For instance, a child interested in birds can try different foods in feeding stations to see which birds are attracted by each. Children who enjoy design, might gravitate toward the research and planning steps in creating a specialized garden. These children could research top berry-producing shrubs for birds or sketch the garden layout. Gardening is not limited to homeowners. A container garden, where all plants including shrubs are in pots on a patio or veranda, will offer wildlife a safe space to eat and nest. Some towns offer community garden plots; this might be an option if the entire family wants to join.
Themed Gardens
There are numerous >
The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.