Gardening is in my list of top five learning activities. It's natural, therapeutic, hands-on, interactive and a great learning tool. Whether you teach plant care, botany lessons or gardening at home with your children or in school as a teacher, there are several areas to consider and steps to follow to ensure safety.
Avoid toxic plants. Brush up on poisonous plants and make sure that you do not incorporate of them in your gardening project. Remember that plants may have some poisonous parts and some non-toxic parts, such as berries, flowers, roots, stems, etc. Know the toxicity level of any plant you will grow. Check the link below for a rundown of safe and unsafe plants.
Familiarize yourself with any student allergies or asthma problems. Make sure that no one is allergic to any plant you will use. Allergies can manifest themselves in odd ways including skin rashes, respiratory problems, hay fever, vomiting, bleeding, etc. Students may have allergies to peanuts, mold, dust, pollen, leaves and insect stings. Know your students' health history before you prepare to garden, especially if you work with young children who may put things in their mouths.
Select gardening tools carefully. Look for well-made tools that are appropriate for the age you work with. Metal spades, hoes, trowels, rakes and trimmers are very sharp.
Teach children how to safely use tools. Demonstrate how to hold, use and clean tools.
Monitor children at all times. Even older students can be silly or careless when using equipment. Students may also forget how to use tools. Keep an eye out.
Remove gardeningprivileges if necessary. If a student is careless, heedless or rough remove his privileges. Gardening is a great activity and lots of fun. Children need to know that it is a privilege that can be removed if necessary. I always keep a supply of boring worksheets on hand and give these out if students are fooling around. I tell the student that if she can't do the fun lessons properly, then she will have to do dull mindless work where she will be safe.
Avoid toxic plants. Brush up on poisonous plants and make sure that you do not incorporate of them in your gardening project. Remember that plants may have some poisonous parts and some non-toxic parts, such as berries, flowers, roots, stems, etc. Know the toxicity level of any plant you will grow. Check the link below for a rundown of safe and unsafe plants.
Familiarize yourself with any student allergies or asthma problems. Make sure that no one is allergic to any plant you will use. Allergies can manifest themselves in odd ways including skin rashes, respiratory problems, hay fever, vomiting, bleeding, etc. Students may have allergies to peanuts, mold, dust, pollen, leaves and insect stings. Know your students' health history before you prepare to garden, especially if you work with young children who may put things in their mouths.
Select gardening tools carefully. Look for well-made tools that are appropriate for the age you work with. Metal spades, hoes, trowels, rakes and trimmers are very sharp.
Teach children how to safely use tools. Demonstrate how to hold, use and clean tools.
Monitor children at all times. Even older students can be silly or careless when using equipment. Students may also forget how to use tools. Keep an eye out.
Remove gardeningprivileges if necessary. If a student is careless, heedless or rough remove his privileges. Gardening is a great activity and lots of fun. Children need to know that it is a privilege that can be removed if necessary. I always keep a supply of boring worksheets on hand and give these out if students are fooling around. I tell the student that if she can't do the fun lessons properly, then she will have to do dull mindless work where she will be safe.
Comments
I love gardening with the grandkids. Great article...
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