Soon after we become parents, there is a realisation that dawns upon us – a thought that is equal parts exciting and terrifying – we aren’t living for ourselves anymore. There is a new purpose. There is an extension of ourselves that walks outside our body, and we are going to do all that we can to do our best for them. Suddenly, we are researching the best schools, pedagogy, activities, experts that we need to fill their lives with to mould them into perfect beings. The intention is always right, so is the effort – there are plans, class schedules, sacrifices and significant expenses involved. In some cases, it almost becomes a project and that’s where we start to lose the essence of our relationship.
What if there is another way? Don’t get me wrong, in no way am I suggesting that all that you are doing isn’t playing its part. I am merely suggesting that there is an option where the essence is preserved, where our intention, efforts, and planning further strengthen our relationship with our children, teaching them meaningful lessons while having fun. This option is helping them grow their own food. It might seem simplistic but trust me it holds great power to transform lives, especially young ones.
Someone rightfully said that ‘When you teach a child to garden, you show them how to grow their own future’. This simple activity acts as both a playground and a classroom, positively affecting your child's eating habits, their development, health, and overall well-being while invoking a sense of awe in children of all ages. Let’s discuss some of these benefits further:
1. Increased awareness: In a world of supermarkets and online ordering, our kids don’t always understand the origins of their food. Growing their own exposes them to a larger variety of fruits and vegetables and inculcates a deeper understanding of where their food comes from.
2. Better eating habits: When children are involved with growing and cooking food, it improves their relationship with food and consequently their diet. This was a key finding that came out of a research conducted by Saint Louis University's Obesity Prevention Centre. They found that kids growing their own food resulted in a better appreciation of the produce and a connection with it that had a marked impact on their eating habits. The study went on to conclude that this is a winning and low-cost strategy to improve our children’s nutrition at a time when issues such as pediatric obesity and nutrition are epidemic problems.
3. Environmental education: Benjamin Franklin said, ‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn’. The Outdoors are truly one of the greatest classrooms. Children who garden have a deeper and hands on understanding of sustainability, water conservation, soil health and ofcourse the natural cycle of plant growth.
4. Outdoor activity and improvement of motor skills: Planting involves getting outdoors, involves physical activity and a whole lot of fresh air! Gardening activities have also been shown to strengthen the fine motor skills in children.
5. Life skills development: Nurturing a plant involves planting, watering, weeding and harvesting. There are some aspects that you can control and then there are those that you can’t. There are valuable lessons to be learnt from growing one’s own food such as being independent and self-sufficient, patient and responsible. It also helps hone ones problem-solving abilities.
6. Emotional- well-being: Richard Louv author of the book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature- Deficit Disorder, says that nature reduces stress and fatigue in children (and their caregivers). Additionally, growing their own food can enhance self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment in children.
7. Strengthening bonds: Gardening can be a fun activity to do together as a family, creating shared experiences and strengthening relationships.
Hence the act of planting and growing your own food is a powerful tool to introduce our children to. You don’t need to be limited by space – a large pot on your balcony or your backyard are enough to get started. We are also there to help. Our Pilkhan Grow boxes that come fully equipped with organically grown open pollinated seeds, vermicompost, cocopeat coins, a coir pot and finally a set of detailed instructions to guide you through the process are perfect to grow your own seasonal vegetables.
If you have any queries, comments or apprehensions, get in touch. Like I said before, we are happy to help.
Come #GrowOutsideTheBox with Pilkhan
