2020 Summer Kansas Child

Growing
Healthy
Generations
of Kansans
BY CHELSY SPILLER
Several of years ago, I worked as a contracting
nanny in Lawrence. One weekend,
I was assigned to a family from San
Francisco who were in town for a black-tie
wedding and needed someone (myself ) to
take care of their preschool-aged girl while
they attended the wedding. When I met
the family and asked if the child was in
preschool, the parents began to enthusiastically
gush about how they were thrilled to
have finally been called off the preschool’s
wait list. She was now attending a preschool
that incorporated outdoor education,
which included a gardening curriculum,
caring for farm animals, and having as
much outdoor play as possible — all in the
middle of San Francisco. The parents were
excited that their daughter was going to be
able to have these experiences every day at
her new school. I remember them saying,
“They even have chickens at the school!”
As a born-and-raised Kansan whose childhood
experiences mirrored what they had
just described, I just smiled, nodded and
agreed that they were giving their daughter
an incredible opportunity, one many people
would love to give to their children.
A few months ago, while I was driving
into Salina from our house outside of
town, I was reminded of this family when
I passed by a herd of cattle grazing off in
a pasture. I thought of my future children
and the rich experiences of gardening and
outdoor environmental education that they
will receive, and how many people around
the country are pining for exactly what we
have here in Kansas. Kansans have a great
opportunity, now more than ever, to lead
the way in growing a generation of children
that appreciates gardening and environmental
education. As Kansans, we forget
how fortunate we are to have all the factors
available to easily share gardening and environmental
education with our children.
You, your children and your community all
benefit greatly when involved with outdoor
activities such as gardening.
The benefits of gardening with children
are innumerable. One of my favorite reasons
for gardening with children is that
it teaches them where their food comes
from. When children have the opportunity
to plant seeds and harvest the fruits
from their labor, they gain the priceless
experience of knowing where and
how their food is grown. When
children know where their food
comes from and are involved
with its production, they are
more likely to branch out
and try those vegetables
that they typically would
not consume. Children
also learn that there are
more foods and food
groups out there than
PB&J sandwiches and
chicken nuggets when
they are exposed to a
variety of fruits and vegetables
from the home
garden. Another benefit is that when children
have the opportunity to garden and be
outside in the fresh air, they have the opportunity
to exercise and move. According
to the CDC, “For children and adolescents
aged 2-19 years: The prevalence of obesity
was 18.5% and affected about 13.7 million
children and adolescents (in the United
States).” 1 The more movement opportunities
they’re given, the more likely children
are to lead active lifestyles.
Gardening with children can benefit
the community at large as well. There are
so many opportunities while gardening to
teach children a sense of respect for life and
www.ks.childcareaware.org
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