Gardening teaches youngsters life skills

Students at St. Raphael School have had their hands in the soil as they helped plant a flower garden — one of several that are a project of the St. Raphael Council Knights of Columbus. Gardening provides an open door to teaching life skills by engaging children in active learning, exploration and fun.  Children learn basic skills when they observe how weather affects plants; how seeds sprout; how plants grow; how gardeners cope with plant problems; how soil, water and sunshine interact; how butterflies and other insects play a role; how the awaited harvest also foreshadows death. The sunflowers in this summer’s garden were “something new” that the children were excited about planting and watching them grow. Teachers who enjoy gardening are rewarded immensely while they promote children’s love of learning and nature.  The students are pictured with Kathy Hillesheim, at left, who supervises and tends the gardening.