Learning Doesn't Have To Be A “Dirty” Word (NAPSA)}—Gardening is one of the best legacies parents can give their children. It helps create a love of the earth and joy im seeing things grew: and it provides an outlet away from an increasingly complicated and technological world. According to Children’s World Learning Centers, a leading provider of early care and education programs in the United States, gardening also is a great way for children to learn all sorts of scientific concepts, such as: *Vegetables don’t grow in supersaarkets. *Sun, wind, water and cold affect plants. *Plants follow a growth cycle from seed to plant to flower te fruit to seed. *How to distinguish hetween weeds and vegetables. *How to distinguish between different vegetables by observing their leaves. *The effect of insects and diseases on plants, and what can be done to protect the vegetables. *Pride and satisfaction in cre- ating, maintaining and harvesting a garden. * Howto work together. *A good feeling for working outside with nature. When gardening with your family, keep in mind: * Children make mistakes. They may pull out a plant instead of a weed or pick a zucchini beforeit’s ready. Being prepared for these incidents helps avaid conflict. * Be sure to emphasize the fun, discovery and sense of accoraplishment, not the responsibility and hard work. That will come later. If a child is bored, cold, tired, or ready for something else, don’t fightit. *Remember, what appeals to adults about gardening might not impress children. Try to support your child’s enthusiasm in big worms, red roots, fanny-shaped leaves and “plants that look like rabbits.” For anyone gardening with their children, there also are a few safety tips that should he observed: *Never use gardening machinery around young children. Make sure your child doesn’t eat any plants until you check them. Parts of some edible plants are poisonous. *if chemical insecticides or fertilizers are used, follow directions carefully and keep your child out of the garden until it is safe. *Young children pat almost everything in their mouths. So, carefully watch the younger ones. Children’s World Learning Centers is a leading provider of quality infant, toddler, preschool, pre-kindergarten and school-age learning prograros in the United States. Recognized for its developmentally appropriate curriculum and commitment to national accreditation, Children’s Worid has been providing early childhood and elementary educational programs since 1969.
