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Making Gardening Easier Gardening Ideas for Children with Special Needs EM 8502-E June 1992 S. Foster and J. Powell Do you want to print a copy? We recommend downloading the print version (171 K). First download the free Adobe Reader, if you don't already have it. Gardening offers many benefits to children. It can be especially beneficial for children with special needs, such as physical, mental, social, and emotional problems. Gardening is a purposeful activity involving mind and body, and it is valued by society. Benefits can include: improved fine and gross motor skills improved communication and socialization skills enhanced self-esteem and a sense of responsibility an interest in the future stimulation of sensory perception, creativity, and curiosity Here are some ways to keep gardening experiences happy and successful for children of all abilities: Garden frequently but for short time periods. Keep drinks and snacks available. Provide child-size tools. Use small hand tools, old spoons, and plastic tool sets. Bigger seeds are easier to manage for smaller or less coordinated hands. Mix small seeds with sand or peat moss and sprinkle from a spice jar for better distribution. Vary activities often and allow frequent breaks. Let the children choose chores they enjoy. Try to provide more encouragement than direction. Plant things that are quick and easy to grow that the children like (for example, snap peas instead of beets). Let the children make the decisions as much as possible. Look at what happens as an interesting opportunity to learn, rather than as a failure. Focus on ability, not disability. Take pictures of the children's gardening activities and display the pictures. Invite others to visit the garden or view the projects. A gardening program can run year-round. There are many indoor horticulture-related activities, including: container gardening gardening under artificial light miniature and terrarium gardens nature crafts using pods, seeds, conifer cones, dried herbs and flowers, etc. carpentry projects such as birdhouses, feeders, and window boxes propagating plants drying and arranging flowers identifying fruits and vegetables making salads or creating recipes and cookbooks gardening-related games, songs, and field trips The possibilities are endless. The Extension 4-H Youth Program offers many resources for project ideas. Why not help your group of children form a 4-H club? Materials, equipment, services, and funds for children's gardening programs can often be solicited from local businesses, parents, and community groups. Projects can sometimes be assisted or funded through existing programs such as 4-H, schools, or other youth organizations. Community-wide project expenses can also be offset by selling plants or produce. Gardening is a healthful way to reduce frustration, anxiety and stress and increase receptiveness to the approach of other people. Aggressive feelings can be channeled into productive behaviors through horticultural activities. As well as being fun, children's gardening programs teach skills that they can use in leisure and vocational activities for the rest of their life. Prepared by Susan Foster, Master Gardener volunteer, and Jan Powell, education program assistant, Oregon Master Gardener Program, Oregon State University. June 1992.

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