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Tips On Teaching Gardening To Special Needs Children Effectively

By Alta Alexander


Researchers have fronted gardening as an effective tool for teaching vital skills to children with special needs. It helps them to develop independence, boost their self esteem as well as develop better social skills. It is a better way of strengthening their mental ability as well as supporting physical development. Teaching gardening to special needs children in San Francisco, CA is a natural way of enhancing their development and general performance.

Preparation is crucial in getting the desired results from any endeavor. Researchers insist that the person responsible must find a perfect balance between different activities to achieve good results. There should be a range of activities with both long and short term results. This means a combination of weeding and planting. This balance is important in instilling the sense of achievement instantly and over time.

Planning involves having an idea of all the activities that will take place over the time allocated. Consider how easily and fast each child learns and works. To kick-start the activities, demonstrate the routine instead of narrating. They use their observation skills to follow your example. The children should be reminded of the work at hand to ensure that they maintain focus. Constantly reinforce your expectation by demonstrating.

Children learn easily through a repetitive routine. Identify this routine and find a comfortable way to do it. This will help them in becoming more confident and believing that it is easy and doable. This is the motivation they require to continue engaging in the activity at hand.

The frequency of gardening plays a crucial role in creating a routine. As much as possible, make it fun so that the children can desire to return. It should remain as frequent as possible and take a reasonable length of time. Ensure that there is motivation to remain in the garden. Food items like drinks and snacks should be made available at all times.

Garden tools used by children should be specialized and appropriate. They also must be friendly to their size and condition. This makes the work comfortable and enjoyable to undertake. Improvise with the use of small spoons and plastic tools that will fit into their hands. Safety and ease in use are primary concerns when selecting the tools to use.

Gardening is not a fun activity by all means. It therefore must be accomplished in the right way. The right seed numbers must be put in each hole. Larger seeds are appropriate for the small hands. Even distribution is also important in ensuring that the work is done right. Small seeds may be mixed with soil or sand to ease even distribution.

The project should allow children to decide what to grow as much as possible. It is easily done by providing them with options based on what is most appropriate. This enables them to own the project from the beginning. Plants that grow quickly motivate their activities and are therefore recommended.

Consider how the children will move along the patch. The terrain and surfacing should be favorable to their conditions. All planning activities must take into account the safety of each child. Take measures to protect them from damaging elements like the rain and hot sun. Have emergency rescue plans in place at all times. Proper planning will deliver excellent results.




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