HEALTH BENEFITS OF FAMILY GARDENING GIVE YOUR KID THE GIFT OF A GREEN THUMB
Yes, there will always be football season, basketball season, and soccer season, but right now, it’s gardening season. That means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and play in the dirt. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the kids away from technology and engaged with the real world, gardening is the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your kids’ development. For example, gardening can improve your children’s analytical abilities. As Dr. Wendy Matthews says, “Gardening exercises important reasoning, initiation, planning, and organization skills.” Furthermore, several studies, including one at Texas A&M University, suggest that gardening improves
a child’s attitude toward fruits and vegetables and may make them more likely to choose them as snacks. Gardening helps kids identify with where their food is coming from, and nothing tastes better than a freshly picked strawberry or pea pod they grew themselves. Jack Gilbert, a scientist at the University of Chicago and a parent himself, and his co-author, Rob Knight, emphasize the health benefits of garden time in their book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child's Developing Immune System.” The two found that exposure to different microbes, like those found in a garden, strengthens a child’s immune system and makes them less likely to develop allergies.
If this is your first time gardening, you don’t need much to get started. Grab a few shovels, a pair of gloves for each family member, and fresh potting soil, and you’ll be set. Then, you can decide together which plants you’d like to grow! Carrots are fun because of the surprise factor — just imagine your child discovering that the part they eat grows below the ground! Peas are tasty and fairly easy to grow, as are strawberries. The options really are endless. Depending on the growing season in your area, you can choose to buy seeds or opt for rooted plants. Last but certainly not least, the best part of gardening as a family is the healthy, fresh produce you’ll get to enjoy all summer long!
WHAT DOES PREPAREDNESS MEAN FOR YOUR FAMILY?
If there’s anything the past couple months have taught us, it’s that being prepared is important. Major facilities and services can be overwhelmed in a moment’s notice, and before you even realize it, it’s often too late to put yourself in a position to weather the storm. Here are some basics to think about when it comes to creating a preparedness plan.
some necessary household items, but when purchasing, remember to be courteous of other families who also need supplies. Educate each other on what’s going on, and make sure you have ways to stay digitally connected with loved ones outside your home.
room together. When they recover, thoroughly disinfect and clean the room.
AT-HOME SETUP
If parents are working from home and schools have been temporarily closed, then adjustments need to be made inside your home to accommodate everyone. Designate a quiet space for work. Take turns watching or entertaining young children, or if you have older children, recruit their help with childcare. Try to adhere to some kind of normal schedule throughout the day, and stay productive and entertained. Encourage learning or reading rather than spending endless hours in front of the TV. Keep preparedness at the top of your mind, and do your best to support each other while staying safe out there.
DISINFECTION
It’s wise to thoroughly clean and wash all the belongings that are frequently handled in your home. Kitchen wares, toys, and linens are at the top of the list and should be washed and disinfected as a precaution. Should a family member fall sick, keep them isolated in their own room. If you have concerns, call your doctor, but don’t immediately opt to visit them. They will tell you the best course of action. Should multiple family members fall ill, you can isolate them in the same
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
You spend a lot of time in close quarters with your family. No matter how many family members there are, and whether you have young or older kids, there are general steps you can take to promote safety. Teach and encourage proper hygiene techniques, like washing hands adequately or coughing into elbows. If possible, store
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