Gardening with children is an activity that engages keiki and adults alike. Parents, relatives, neighbors, educators and group-activity coordinators all have the potential to ignite a child’s lifelong appreciation for our Earth’s natural systems and gain valuable life skills.

Research shows that children’s gardening programs foster horticultural knowledge, awareness of environmental issues, cultural awareness and social skills. Even personal development, including independence, self-discipline, responsibility and self-esteem, is cultivated.

And the key to a successful gardening program is to give children the freedom to get dirty.

Organized garden program activities and other time spent outdoors with kids are great ways to channel youthful energy. With proper supervision and a little creativity, digging, planting, weeding, feeding, watering and "exploring" can be fun activities and important learning experiences. Children eagerly await garden lessons and show tremendous excitement and comprehension of garden-related concepts such as butterfly life cycles, pollinators, plant parts and garden creatures.

One of the most impactful aspects of gardening with kids is their eagerness to eat the fresh vegetables and fruits they themselves have grown. Whenever possible, prepare healthy feasts with fresh garden produce to mark their accomplishments and celebrate their little green thumbs.

Whether at a school learning garden, in your back yard or on your lanai, or on a trip to a public garden, nearly any location can serve as an outdoor classroom, sparking opportunities to apply every edu­cational subject. Try to arrange behind-the-scenes tours of botanical gardens and public educational display gardens to make children feel special and provide additional hands-on learning.

Be sure to prepare lessons that include a good balance between informational content and fun activities for applied learning. Incorporate children’s opinion in activities to make them feel engaged and respected, for instance: "What does our garden need to thrive?"

Allow children to make choices, even if they are the wrong ones for a thriving garden. Remember, there is no such thing as a gardening mistake; there are only gardening experiments. Recognize and reward achievements in gardening activities with shows of public appreciation for their hard work. Designing activities where children gain attention and recognition for demonstrating plant knowledge to their classmates or siblings is another positive way to channel energy.

Gardening is a simple and powerful act, and being in nature is an essential part of who we are. When approached with proper attention and respect, nature will be generous and patient with us as we reconnect and restore our relationship with the planet.

Visit the University of Hawaii Master Gardener Program on the Web for helpful links to frequently asked gardening questions, information on gardening basics and school garden resources. For an online list of demonstrations and workshops hosted by UH Master Gardeners on "Gardening with Kids," just search "UH Urban Garden Center."

Jayme Grzebik, Leah Rothbaum and Lydi Morgan Bernal are with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ Master Gardener Program; visit www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/UHMG. Bernal is also the school garden coordinator for Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation’s ‘AINA In Schools program.