One of the best ways for children to learn the importance of making positive food choices is to get them actively involved in growing their own food. That’s exactly what’s happening at Winchester School in Toronto Canada. In this video, Mary Ito reports on how Winchester’s inner city children are being provided with the opportunity to learn about growing their own fruits and vegetables. In doing so, the children learn about soil preparation, planting from seed, bugs, weeds, harvesting and the importance of consuming good foods. All of the food grown by the children is used in the school lunch program. This is a really worthwhile program in which the children benefit from eating fresh produce as well as learning about where their food comes from.

In most Western countries we treat the symptoms, rather than identifying and addressing the root causes, of disease. It’s no surprise that the leading cause of premature death in Western society is heart disease. Our never-ending quest for efficiency, convenience and uniformity is making us sick. We’re overweight, we’re stressed and we’re tired. In this video, four children let us know that they are aware of the problem and would like us to do something about it. They’re asking for better foods to be served in schools. It’s a simple yet important message they have to share. With so much of our children’s learning taking place in the school environment these days surely it makes sense to teach the benefits of consuming positive foods from an early age?

Greg Christian is someone who cares. He cares a lot in fact. As founder and Chairman of the Organic School Project, he’s played an important role in bringing positive food choices to thousands of children. We first talked with Greg while undertaking research for our article on organic choices in schools. As a professional chef, Greg doesn’t assume that he has the requisite credentials to teach others what is, and isn’t, healthy. Instead, he simply aims to help young people learn more about positive food choices. What are positive food choices? In this short video, Greg explains exactly what he means by food being “positive”. Essentially, Greg believes food should be sourced respectfully. He emphasizes the need for us to keep in tact the all important connection we have – or should have – with our food sources. We think he makes a lot of sense.

A lot of children enjoy the responsibility of managing their own garden. At first attempt it is preferable to restrict the overall size and complexity. Early success and positive reinforcement can be easily achieved by keeping things manageable. The necessary equipment need be no more sophisticated than a hand trowel, a sturdy pair of boots, some reinforced gardening gloves, sunhat, fertile seeds, scissors, string, and a decent watering can.

Salad gardens are a great choice for children who appreciate routine and enjoy contributing in their own way to family meals. Salad greens are particularly easy to grow organically and are equally suitable for outdoor plots, container gardens, and window boxes. They are visually decorative and a combination of varieties will provide a nice range of leaves with distinct colours, shapes, and textures. Salad greens can be purchased in punnets or as ready mixed seed packets. Alternatively described as lettuce, saladini, mescalin, or endive combinations, many of these also contain small amounts of rocket, chicory, kale, chard, and lambs lettuce.

The ready mixed salad combinations are sown in spring or early autumn and the seedlings usually emerge within a week or two then develop quickly enough to please eager youngsters. The maturing plants prefer partial shade and require soils with good moisture retention. If necessary, this can be improved after the seedlings have emerged, by spreading small quantities of finely shredded coconut fibre as surface mulch. Daily watering is required, with a preference for early morning or later, towards evening.

Often, it is an excellent idea to grow these plants near a doorway or gate used regularly by children. A visual reminder of their salad garden will reinforce their commitment to properly maintain it. Weeding should be undertaken on a weekly basis. Nimble fingered children can remove these before they establish a proper root structure, similarly slugs and snails can be controlled by periodic physical removal. Mature plants can be harvested any time by removing small quantities of leaves with a pair of scissors. This approach enables the plants to regenerate and will provide a healthy supply of organic greens throughout the growing season.

An organic herb garden is an option for children who are unlikely to establish a regular maintenance routine. Herbs are often favoured by creative types, particularly older children involved in cookery and other practical hobbies. Another interesting perspective is to consider herb gardening for children with an awareness of history. Many of the commonest garden herbs have traditional uses which can be traced back across Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Arabic, and European civilisations.

Select an area with lean, well drained soil and concentrate on growing a few hardy and prolific types. These will assist the garden through adverse weather conditions or periods of temporary neglect. Lemon balm, mint, nasturtium, and oregano are extremely versatile and flourish with minimal effort. Because the seedlings can take a long while to establish themselves, these herbs are usually introduced to a children’s garden as healthy cuttings in spring or autumn.

While the emphasis should be on easy care maintenance, there is no need to abandon neatness or decoration. The children’s herb garden can be protected and defined by small hedges of dry soil species like lavender, thyme, or rosemary. Chives are also suitable as border plantings. Within these enclosures, install a few stepping stones and develop a simple planting scheme with markings of coloured sand.

A mixed organic garden is suitable for those children prepared to research the individual requirements of each species. By encapsulating diversity, the mixed garden provides a good base for understanding organic principles as they relate to practical applications. With minimal planning, the mixed garden can contain several varieties of flower, fruit, herbs, and vegetables. Why not include the salad greens described above? Within reason, encourage children to pursue their own intuitive combinations of texture, colour, and taste, as they choose individual plant varieties.

Sunflowers are a big, easy growing favourite for many children and adults alike. Aside from their energetic brightness, they attract beneficial pollinators and provide late seed to attract over wintering birds into the garden. Organic wildflower mixes guarantee an attractive, low maintenance display of colour. They can be left to seed each autumn, and will be returned as new stock the following spring. Daffodils and buttercups are strongly associated with straightforward gardening and their simple beauty appeals to many children.

Because they require planning, patience, and considerable technical knowledge, raising fruit trees is too complex for many children. Allowing them to adopt an established fruit tree can be a good compromise for enthusiastic kids. This way they can take some responsibility and practice pruning and shaping under appropriate supervision.

Modern cane fruit can be challenging although the traditional raspberry and blackberry bushes are low maintenance and particularly suited to organic conditions. Organic strawberries are a fantastic source of essential vitamins and minerals. They require well drained soils containing plenty of organic materials like compost, dry manure and leaf mould. Mulching is good for encouraging water retention and preventing weeds. Whether grown in the ground or in containers, they should be covered with wire mesh to discourage hungry birds and mice. They are very susceptible to viral infections and should only be purchased from organically certified nurseries or plant wholesalers.

The spectrum between easy care and high maintenance is fully encompassed with the wide selection of vegetable varieties available today. Do the kids a favour by encouraging them to choose among the easier ones. Climbing peas and beans grow quickly with very few problems. Young children still love hearing the tale of Jack and the beanstalk. Courgettes are easy to grow and children love them raw in salads. Their vines require a trellis or fence for support. The old fashioned carrot varieties have been a longstanding favourite with children, and should remain popular on account of their refreshingly sweet flavour. Make it fun and interesting and you’ll be amazed at how quickly children will  take to gardening

In today’s world, a thoughtfully designed organic garden is one of the safest and most productive environments for children to engage and develop the full range of their physical and mental abilities. Without question, this depends upon an adequate level of adult supervision and an awareness of each child’s tendency to absorb both safe and unsafe practices through their capacity for close observation and imitation. Like most learning situations, garden safety requires constant instruction and practical application from individuals who elicit the respect and trust of their charges. By consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to garden and outdoor safety, parents and supervising adults can gradually promote a similar response in the children under their care.

The emphasis on safety should be directed toward preventative strategies, based on an evaluation of potential consequences for a range of adverse events. When the consequences are sufficiently serious the risk needs to be addressed. This focus upon potential consequence alleviates the difficulty of evaluating the precise level of risk. 

Research in psychology has repeatedly demonstrated that an accurate evaluation of negative risk is constantly undermined and distorted by a complex mix of emotion, personal experience, and unrealistic or irrational fear. The recommended approach for promoting safety also depends on developing some sensible precautions which are easy to follow and do not interfere unduly with the basic activity, which in this case is gardening and working outdoors.

The initial step in making a garden safe for children is to take a careful inventory of every situation, or item which involves some potential for risk of injury. Starting with the physical property itself, attempt to identify all of the obvious hazards. Make a list with a brief description of each area inside a bound notebook. Is the land flat or sloping? Does it adjoin a roadway containing traffic? Are there any bodies of water inside the garden or within close proximity? Is the garden securely fenced? Are the retaining walls and outbuildings structurally safe? Are there any unsound trees, particularly those with overhanging limbs? Do the pathways become slippery when wet or iced? Does the garden contain sharp rocks or gravel? Are there any unfilled holes or logs lying about? Try to locate areas of poor visibility. Are there any buried cables or gas pipes within the garden?

Once the list is compiled wait a few days then try to locate any additional sources of potential hazard. It can even be helpful to consult a relative or friend who may uncover dangerous situations which were originally concealed or considered irrelevant. The next step is to take the list and to give each of the hazardous situations a rating to describe the possible consequences. A rating of five is applied to any situation with life threatening consequences. For example, a deep unfenced pond must be rated as five whenever there are toddlers or young children visiting, playing or working in the garden. A rating of four is given to describe any situation which is likely to cause severe injury, a three rating for serious injury, two for moderate injury, and a rating of one for minor injury. Of course, this classification is somewhat arbitrary and can only estimate the approximate consequences of each hazard. The main aim is to identify those situations which are life threatening or capable of causing serious injury. These areas need to be secured and made safe as a priority and definitely before children are encouraged to access the garden.

Once the physical surroundings are clear, proceed with an inventory of outdoor materials, tools, and other equipment. All gardening tools should be carefully stored in an enclosed area which is secured to prevent unsupervised access. It is worthwhile creating a system which draws attention to missing tools. Some gardeners prefer to consult a written checklist but a convenient visual method is to paint a silhouette of each tool on the wall. At the end of a gardening session, older children can be encouraged to inspect the tools for signs of wear or damage. Learning to respect and care for gardening equipment is an important aspect of garden safety. Fortunately, an organic approach eliminates the extremely toxic and dangerous chemicals widely used in conventional gardens. Several of the natural substances used in organic gardening are, however, sufficiently toxic to require secure storage. Young children should be closely supervised in the presence of these materials while older children can be introduced to the necessary safety precautions and taught to apply them with appropriate supervision.

After eliminating garden hazards, safety awareness should be reinforced by encouraging children to adopt a sensible approach to their garden activities. Focus on establishing the basic precautions which apply to their situation. When confronted with these, many children will attempt to understand their underlying logic, so be prepared to provide sufficient explanation. For example, it is important for children to wash their hands after contact with potting mixtures, compost, and similar organic materials. Explain the presence of bacteria which are essential in the garden yet potentially harmful when allowed to multiply on the surface of hands. Washing eliminates bacteria from hands. This is consistent with the fact that garden produce must also be washed carefully before consumption.

Children love to explore and investigate hidden corners of the garden. To ensure their safety, they must wear protective clothing and be capable of identifying and avoiding potentially dangerous creatures such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions. Children should also be aware of poisonous plants. Some of these will sting or irritate the skin on contact and many common plants are toxic when ingested. There are commonsense safety precautions which should be experienced from an early age. Learning to bend from the knees when lifting a heavy object, wearing protective eyewear while trimming branches, the use of garden gloves for weeding, the importance of applying sunscreens and drinking plenty of water while undertaking physical activities. Supervise children from a distance but encourage them to take responsibility for their own safety. This approach helps to create a harmonious and productive atmosphere in the garden.

From a young age, children benefit from gathering the knowledge and skills necessary to raise plants and develop an organic garden. In earlier times, a significant percentage of people depended on their own abilities to provide sufficient food for their families. While subsistence agriculture is still a factor in many regions of poor and developing nations, the emphasis has now shifted toward large scale commercial plantations. Such enterprises are dominated by limited numbers of high demand crops which are largely processed with the assistance of mechanised technologies.

For the last century, sociologists have explained the importance of guardianship in relation to food, development, and sustainability. By establishing guardianship over any resource, each assigned individual is obliged to assume responsibility for the positive and negative consequences of their actions. Unlike most paid work, subsistence farming encourages a continuous engagement with the natural environment.

Across many cultures, this level of engagement is defined by the practice of ritual and celebration. Ritual determines the boundaries of connection between individual and environment while celebration enables these boundaries to be upheld in the social domain. In the poorest communities of the world, the majority of children participate substantially, along with their relatives in the timeless rituals associated with subsistence agriculture. These include all the variations of weather watching, planning, sowing, maintenance, and harvesting of food and fibre crops. Their ongoing participation is recognised through their inclusion in the preparation and delivery of important social celebrations such as harvest feasts, seasonal festivals, religious events, weddings, storytelling, and funerals.

For a variety of reasons, children raised within economically prosperous nations are often provided with few opportunities to assist them in developing the levels of responsibility which are assumed and taken for granted in adulthood. The social impact of this oversight can be grasped through media reports which describe an increased dependence and lack of genuine autonomy for young adults today.

Over recent decades the average age for leaving the family home and establishing regular income has continued to increase. Many parents are confronted with the prospect of supporting their adult children despite approaching or entering their own retirement years. This situation contrasts with the measured progression of social learning and responsibility which occurs naturally for many children raised in economically poor and developing nations.

While aspects of this can and should be viewed positively, there is no advantage in seeking out romantic representations of subsistence living, since this is most typically harsh and unforgiving. A significant proportion of the learning and development opportunities gained through participation in subsistence agricultures are inextricably linked to complex problems and human suffering.

Would it be possible for our own children to undertake some of these learning opportunities without experiencing the problems and suffering which occur throughout the developing world? Despite the privileged security of material wealth and prosperity, developed nations have consistently neglected to provide innovative opportunities for developing responsibility and community awareness at an early age. Due to its status as a practical and philosophical pursuit, organic gardening represents an ideal framework for developing these essential skills.

A recent Australian study has found higher than acceptable pesticide residues in strawberries from conventional farms (Choice magazine, February 2008). It has been pointed out that this highlights the potential for chemical abuse in all produce. ‘Chemical cocktail’ mixes are shown to be of particular concern for parents and growing healthy crop plants, warns Australia’s largest organic representative group, Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA).

Soil health technician and BFA spokesperson, Mr Greg Paynter, says the mixed use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides weaken crops in the long-term when applied in un-tested combinations at the discretion of farmers.

“Excessive reside levels are a problem – but what may be more concerning and is also carried through to the end consumer, are the unknown effects of blends of different types of synthetic farming inputs. The toxic permutation that occurs as a result is unidentified and untested with regards to human or eco-health, because standard practise is to test a chemical product in isolation,” says Mr. Paynter.

Adverse affects on health from low doses of agricultural chemical combinations have been recorded in the past, with a particularly negative response from tested animals in the pairing of Atrazine – a herbicide widely used on maize and sorghum – with nitrate fertilizer.

Mr. Paynter said chemical mixes damage a crop’s ability to respond naturally to growth obstacles, and often lead to changes in plant metabolism, physiology, chemical composition and nutritional patterns.

“Plants which take up one particular pesticide will then inevitably be exposed to other environmental problems with a weakened natural defence system. A farmer who began using one type of pesticide may be forced to apply an additional herbicide, and then another type of pesticide to compensate for a vulnerable crop (for example),” he says.

“Organic growers, in comparison, tend to utilise the design of ecosystem services to replace the use of synthetic inputs in their farming practice.”

There are around 8,700 registered agricultural and veterinary products used in Australia, a number subject to fluctuation daily.

Children are the other party most susceptible to high toxicity levels from chemical blends, according to BFA Nutritionist Shane Heaton. “Children are more vulnerable to food toxins than adults – they have a larger intake of food per kilo of body weight than adults, and immature organs and detoxification and immune systems,” he says.

According to the 20th Australian total diet survey in 2003, dietary exposure to pesticide residues is highest for the toddler age group. Mr. Heaton said pesticides had proven effects on developing cognitive systems.

Adding to this he says “A study in South America showed impaired cognitive ability in children (aged four and five) from a village that routinely used farm pesticides – they had a lower capacity for things like hand-eye co-ordination and short term memory, and less ability for play-based learning tasks like drawing a recognisable person, or catching a ball,”.

Mr Heaton said concerned parents could opt for organic to reduce their child’s exposure to chemicals – children eating a predominantly organic diet have been proven to have less (one-sixth) the level of pesticide metabolite in their urine than those who don’t.

“At the end of the day it’s about peace of mind in parenting – organic choices reduce transferred chemical risk from ‘uncertain’ to negligible,” he says.

Every parent knows that children are susceptible to the sophisticated marketing strategies employed by manufacturers of processed food products. It’s not surprising when basic lines like breakfast cereal, cookies, drinks, and chips are linked to popular media characters like Spiderman, Dr Who, and Barbie. What many parents fail to realise is the extent to which some of these foods can be saturated with suspect chemical additives.

Chemical additives in food have been linked to a number of medical and psychological conditions which can affect childhood well-being and development. These include common and rare allergies, hyperactivity disorder, and appetite disturbances. Because they cannot be used by the body for normal growth and repair, most chemical additives need to be processed and eliminated. This represents an inefficient utilisation of resources.

One of the real difficulties confronting parents and caregivers is the complexity of the coded labelling system for common food additives. In the middle of a busy supermarket aisle with various distractions, how many consumers can readily identify the significance of E102, E104, or E129? Excepting those with heightened levels of interest or a food science qualification, many of us will fail to properly decipher the labels.

A helpful website is currently available to anyone seeking to identify those foods, drinks, and medications which contain the chemical additives linked to the developmental and health issues described above. Action on Additives was established by Lizzie Vann, the founder of a company promoting organic baby food. The website also encourages consumers to report products which are marketed to children yet contain suspect food additives.

Once again, packaging has surfaced as a hot topic. This time, the debate surrounds bisphenol A and its use in common household and commercial packaging items. But it is the use of bisphenol A in baby bottles – and its link with a range of health problems, including cancer, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty and diabetes – that rightly has people most concerned.

What is Bisphenol A? Bisphenol A is a chemical commonly used in the manufacture of clear polycarbonate plastic. It is one of the top 50 products produced by the chemical industry, generating revenues in the order of $6 million per day in the United States, Europe, and Japan alone. Global bisphenol A production exceeds 6.4 billion pounds per year.

How pervasive is it? Most people reading this will have come into contact with bisphenol A at some stage in their life. A study by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 95% of Americans have detectable levels of bisphenol A in their bodies. Researchers also found that the median level of bisphenol A in humans was substantially higher than the level that causes adverse effects in other animals.

Where is it found? Bisphenol A is commonly found in a range of polycarbonate plastic products, including most plastic baby bottles. It is also found in the following:

• children’s toys
• dental sealants
• epoxy lining of food and beverage cans
• reusable drink containers
• microwavable food containers
• electronic equipment
• sports helmets
• eyeglass lenses

Why should we be concerned? Scientists have linked very low doses of bisphenol A exposure to cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity, among other problems.

What can we do? Given that bisphenol A has been found to alter cell behaviour even at very low levels – in the parts per trillion – the safest approach is to avoid using products containing it altogether. This is especially important during infancy. If you’re a young mom and would prefer that your child was not exposed to bisphenol A, you might like to consider switching to either glass bottles or one of the growing number of brands promoting bisphenol A-free bottles. Companies manufacturing Bisphenol A-free bottles that we’re aware of include Medela, Gerber, BornFree and Adiri. You might like to check one or more of these out.

You may also like to watch a brief ABC report on Bisphenol A and newborn health.

References
vom Saal, F.S. and Welshons, W.V. Large effects from small exposures: II. The importance of positive controls in low-dose research on bisphenol A. Environmental Research, Online November, 2005. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2005.09.001.
vom Saal, F.S. and Hughes, C. An extensive new literature concerning low-dose effects of bisphenol A shows the need for a new risk assessment. Environ. Health Perspect. 113:926-933, 2005.
Gibson, R.L. Toxic Baby Bottles. Scientific Study finds leaching chemicals in clear plastic baby bottles. Environment California Research & Policy Center. Feb 2007

A study conducted by Dr Jane A. Hoppin from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, N.C., has found that pesticide exposure increases the risk of asthma. The presentation, given at the European Respiratory Annual Congress in Stockholm, Sweden last weekend, detailed the findings from a study of more than 20,000 United States farmers. The study found that farmers exhibiting a history of high pesticide exposure were 200% more likely to suffer from asthma. Hoppin explained that, “the link between pesticide exposure and asthma risk remained statistically significant after adjusting for a variety of potentially confounding factors including age, smoking, body weight and state of residence”.

The study showed that twelve pesticides show a statistically significant link to a rise in the risk of allergic asthma, while four are linked to a rise in the rate of non-allergic asthma. Coumaphos, EPTC, lindane, parathion, heptachlor, and 2,4,5-TP were most strongly linked to allergic asthma, while DDT, malathion, and phorate were most strongly linked with non-allergic asthma.

Interestingly, the focus of this study was on male farm workers from Iowa and North Carolina in the United States. Fortunately, these farmers are afforded a degree of government-mandated occupational protection. One can only ponder what conclusions this study would have reached had the focus been on farmers from, so-called, third world nations where occupational legislation is weak at best, and in many instances non-existent. Farmers in these nations are routinely subjected to prolonged exposure to a range of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that have, due to their known carcinogenic potential, been banned in the United States and elsewhere.

A major study conducted by Professor Jim Stevenson and a team of researchers from The University of Southampton has established a positive correlation between food additives and the incidence of hyperactivity in children. While many parents, at least intuitively, have appreciated for some time the need to minimise the intake of suspect food additives, particularly in children pre-disposed to hyperactivity, the research provides a timely reminder of the need for all of us to be diligent when reading and interpreting food labels.

What are food additives?

Simply put, food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavour or improve its taste and appearance. The most common food additives include antioxidants, preservatives, colours, emulsifiers, stabilisers, gelling agents, thickeners, flavour enhancers, flavourings, and sweeteners. In the EU, each of these additives is assigned an ‘E’ number.

Although European Union (EU) legislation requires that food additives be monitored for safety, safety is something that can only ever be assessed in light of currently available scientific information. As new scientific information comes to light it is not uncommon for additives, which were previously considered acceptable for human consumption, to be deemed unacceptable and removed from the extensive list of approved food additives. For more information on the food additives permitted within your jurisdiction, and some useful links to sites providing further information regarding potentially dangerous additives, please refer to the resources section below.

What is hyperactivity?

Hyperactivity is a general term used to describe a range of behavioural difficulties that have a negative impact on learning, memory, movement, language, emotional responses, and sleep patterns. While there exists no single test for diagnosing hyperactivity, hyperactive children tend to be over-active, unable to concentrate, and prone to making sudden and often inappropriate decisions.

The research

The research involved studying levels of hyperactivity in a randomly selected sample of 297 children. Over a six-week period each child’s food intake was regulated to ensure that, apart from those introduced during the study, all food additives were removed from their diet. Each day, the children were given a drink which either contained one of two mixtures of food colours and benzoate preservative, or just fruit juice – with all the drinks looking and tasting identical. The results of the study clearly demonstrated a positive correlation between food additives and significantly prolonged and elevated levels of hyperactivity.

So what additives should we avoid?

Professor Jim Stevenson states that, “We now have clear evidence that mixtures of certain food colours and benzoate preservative can adversely influence the behaviour of children”. Consequently, The Food Standards Agency, now recommends avoiding:

• Tartrazine (E102)
• Carmoisine (E122)
• Sunset yellow (E110)
• Quinoline yellow (E104)
• Allura red (E129)
• Ponceau 4R (E124)
• Sodium Benzoate (E211)

These additives are commonly found in food items such as soft drinks, sweets, cakes and ice cream.

The organic alternative

Are all food additives bad? No. In fact, some food additives have been used for centuries. Examples of these include salt, sugar and vinegar. In small quantities, no one is suggesting that these are bad. Indeed, under current organic standards there are approximately 30 substances approved as food additives. However, unlike the conventional food industry, which actively promotes the use of the relatively less expensive synthetically derived forms of food additives, organic standards emphasise the use of natural additives (such as salt, and colourings derived from plant sources).

So, by continuing with, or switching to, a lifestyle emphasising fresh, wholesome and nutritionally optimal organic food you will be protecting your family from exposure to a range of unacceptably risky food additives.

Resources

The following sites provide useful information on food additives and safety.

Food Standards Agency (United Kingdom)
Food Standards Australia
United States Food and Drug Administration
Health Canada
New Zealand Food Safety Authority

From an early age, children are naturally inquisitive and enjoy participating in simple gardening activities. Their interest can be encouraged by allowing them to safely explore the various shapes, colours, and events which surround them. Because most toddlers have short attention spans and tire easily, it is a good idea to restrict the length of each session and to focus on activities which can be readily understood and easily incorporated into their everyday experience of the world.

One of the most appealing activities for young children is harvesting brightly coloured fruits and vegetables. With the widespread dominance of supermarkets and packaged foods, it is a privilege for children to experience the original source of fresh produce. Their awareness and appreciation of real food can be continued by extending this activity to the kitchen where the produce is washed and prepared as a salad or some other dish which the child will enjoy. By contextualising their garden activities in this manner, the initial foundation is established for an appreciation of important values such as physical work, nutrition, hygiene, and sharing.

Other garden activities suitable for toddlers include watering plants, picking flowers, planting young trees, and gathering leaves. It is always important to verbally discuss these activities with young children and to carefully answer any questions or concerns which may arise. Visiting a good bookseller or searching the internet will help to locate published resources which explore concepts of gardening from a child’s perspective.

A place to learn

Throughout their primary years, children develop and extend their capacity for logic and abstract reasoning. With an emerging ability to manipulate complex ideas and concepts, it is typical for them to demonstrate a sustained interest in the complexities of human culture, machinery, natural science, and design. Primary aged children also require plenty of outdoor recreation and physical exercise to develop their coordination and to establish the metabolism and activity levels which contribute to physical strength and wellbeing throughout adulthood. Given the appropriate support and encouragement, most children will participate in the various tasks and challenges of gardening. An excellent introduction to organic principles can be initiated through explanation and discovery of the life cycles for plants, soil types and insects in the garden. Try to focus on the important relationships between healthy soil, plants, and wholesome produce.

At some point in their development, it is essential for children to gain practical experience in complex decision making. A garden is one of the best environments to experiment with basic planning and resource allocation. In addition to growing the things they enjoy, older children should be encouraged to consider factors such as climate, soil quality, and the amount of work involved. Because these aspects of the garden are often dynamic and subject to change, intelligent children may develop the ability to adapt their planning to accommodate changing inputs. This flexibility is required in many contemporary occupations, particularly those established within political, administrative, and business organisations.

Of course, some children are more interested in gardening as an outlet for creativity or pure enjoyment. Compared with the traditional vegetable patch, a rambling wilderness garden packed with daisies, herbs, and sunflowers can provide more colour, texture, and mysterious fragrances for the imaginative or unconventional child. A loosely structured garden can also be therapeutically relaxing for emotional and highly strung children. Parents may discover that time spent gardening with their children helps to provide deeper insights to their individual personality and abilities. Gardening can also provide positive links between children and elderly neighbours or relatives. These opportunities are increasingly important to counteract the influence of negative stereotypes and the false barriers of self focused consumerism.

A place to form ideas

As children develop and mature through high school, they become increasingly interested in defining themselves through expressions of creativity, taste, fashion, sport and social relationships. Gardening itself is rarely a pursuit or priority for older children and teenagers. On the other hand, many teenagers are desperately concerned about the condition of their planet. This should not surprise since many have grown up in countries which refuse to intervene on key issues like global warming, habitat destruction, extinction of numerous plant and animal species, overpopulation, pollution, urban decay, and the despoliation of rivers and oceans. Learning about the organic movement will help some teenagers overcome their sense of despair and may increase their commitment to develop strategies and solutions within their own spheres of influence.

Once children are weaned from breast milk or infant formula, the variety of solid foods should be increased to ensure the balanced intake of nutrients essential for normal development. The easiest way to ensure optimum nutrition is to focus on the five healthy food groups. Fresh fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, dairy produce, and monounsaturated vegetable oils. Plenty of fresh water assists the immune system and vital organs to function efficiently, particularly the kidneys, which develop a heavier workload in the older child. In addition to increasing the body’s access to useful nutrients, optimum health and wellbeing depends upon restricting the intake of harmful substances.

Avoiding poor quality food sources

While sugar in its natural form is not considered harmful, excessive quantities of highly refined sweeteners are major contributors to obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, and may also be associated with several of the psychological disorders of childhood. Many of the cereals, drinks, and snack foods marketed to children are notorious for their refined sugar and food additive content. And these are not the only culprits. Residual traces of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals are routinely detected in many fresh and processed foods today.

Choosing organically certified foods can reduce the physical concentration of these toxic substances and thereby protect the immature organs and rapidly dividing cells of childhood. Individualised nutrition programs can be established by a paediatric dietician. These are particularly useful for children with allergies, food sensitivity, diabetes, and immune system disorders. Caregivers worried about their child’s development and those considering vegetarian diets for younger children should also seek this type of intervention.

Emphasise fresh fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables should play an important role in the childhood menu. The bright colours and sweetness of fresh produce are naturally appealing to most children and the health benefits will be significant. Fruit and vegetables are the main source of antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and the various plant compounds which support efficient digestion and cell functioning. It is possible to reduce childhood exposure to pesticides by purchasing organically grown produce. Once children master chewing, it is nutritionally sensible to include raw vegetables, in salads, sandwiches, and as a snack between meals. To retain maximum taste and nutritional qualities, vegetables can be prepared as a traditional stir-fry or lightly steamed dish.

In the absence of allergy and other medical conditions, healthy children should be encouraged to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. This may include the tropical fruits and less common vegetables like kale, choko, Japanese radish, and Asian greens.

Grains and cereals

Grains and cereals are the ideal source of sustained energy for active children. They also provide many of the B group vitamins, minerals, and essential oils required for normal development. Whole and minimally refined grains are occasionally dismissed as being too coarse and fibrous for young children. When properly soaked and prepared, this should be less of a problem. When purchasing grains and cereals, there are two important factors to consider. Because they keep for long periods of time, the freshness of grains is frequently overlooked. When exposed to air and moisture, grains rapidly spoil, losing much of their nutrient value. For this reason it is important to purchase grains from suppliers with a significant turnover.

Conventionally grown grains are routinely sprayed with pesticides and other agricultural chemicals. Because these accumulate in the germinal layers of the seed, it makes a lot of sense to choose organically certified when purchasing whole grains.

Protein sources

Protein is essential for the normal growth and repair of cells throughout the body. On account of their rapid physical growth and brain development, children require a substantial protein component which can be obtained from a variety of plant and animal sources. While protein foods must be incorporated during the process of weaning, there are various opinions and precautions against the introduction of items which may contribute to certain types of allergy and intolerance. For example, the lactose protein in cow’s milk and gluten from wheat products are significant allergens to a relatively small number of children. At the present time health professionals recommend that the introduction of protein foods should be gradual, and closely supervised. It is a good idea to avoid processed meat products containing additives or produce raised on intensive units with the potential use of antibiotics, growth hormones, and adulterated feed. The effort to obtain organically raised meat should be weighed against the security of avoiding these potentially harmful contaminants.

Good oils

The relationship between the different types of edible oils and childhood nutrition is now subject to a better understanding than was previously the case. Infants and young children require a substantial proportion of their total calorie intake to be based on a range of healthy lipids (fats and oils). Dieticians and other health professionals emphasise the importance of monounsaturated oils and fatty acids for normal development of the brain and nervous system. At the same time, there is a need to restrict the intake of some highly saturated fats which can elevate blood cholesterol. Providing there is maternal access to a properly balanced diet, healthy fats are obtained naturally from breast milk. Alternative sources include cold pressed organic oils, avocadoes, and coldwater species of fish such as cod, mackerel, and sardines.

A dietician or health nurse can provide good information about the foods which should be avoided due to their unhealthy fat content. While some foods are obviously fatty, like fried chicken or donuts, there is a substantial range of processed foods with high levels of saturated fat that might not appear obvious. These include some of the commercially popular cereals, sauces, dips, and frozen dinners. Most of these are high in salt and food additives, which make them incompatible with a healthy childhood.

Water, water, water

From an early age, children should be encouraged to drink several cups of fresh water each day. Water is necessary for all aspects of physiological function, particularly the elimination of toxins and waste. When alternative drinks are readily available, children may refuse plain water. Try to avoid the temptation to provide sweetened cordials and juices. While these may contain small amounts of vitamin C, the high sugar content can disturb the appetite for healthier foods and contribute to dental decay. A good compromise is to add a squeeze of lemon juice to plain water.

Children that become accustomed to eating good quality food at an early age are more likely to carry these habits into adulthood. Much of today’s research into adult onset degenerative illness identifies childhood nutrition as playing a crucial role in establishing and maintaining health during later stages of life. So, make the effort. It might be the best investment in your child’s future you ever make.