The outdoors can do wonders for a child’s overall well-being.
At Connections Therapy Center, we offer a few different kinds of recreational therapy services. An example of such is horticulture therapy; the engagement in gardening and other plant-based activities that are conducted by a trained therapist. This gentle form of physical therapy has been shown to be highly effective for children and adolescents with disabilities. Here are just a few ways horticulture therapy can benefit a child with disabilities.
Improved Motor Skills
Horticulture therapy can help children with disabilities fine-tune their motor skills. This form of physical therapy can help them increase their body’s range of motion, muscular strength, coordination and balance.
Increased Self-Esteem
There are many children with disabilities who are struggling to find self-worth. Sometimes they need to be presented with the right opportunity to understand how valuable they are to the world. Horticulture therapy serves as a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about nature and how they can make a difference. Children who participate in horticulture therapy will get to plant plants and monitor them over time. It can be an extremely rewarding for a child to see the flowers they planted weeks ago bloom before their eyes!
Helps With Stress
It is not uncommon for a child with a disability to have high-stress levels. Every child should have some sort of outlet to help temper any sort of anxiousness. Gardening is a constructive activity that parents can do with their children at home. Many children enjoy it so much that it actually becomes one of their hobbies!
Improved Mood
It is amazing how spending time outdoors can improve a child’s mood! Some children just need a breath of fresh air when they are feeling sad. Horticulture therapy brings smiles to children’s faces as they learn about mother nature!
Increased Social Skills
In many cases, horticulture therapy is done in groups. It serves a great opportunity for shy children to step outside of their comfort zone and interact with other children. In many cases, children will end up making new friends because they are in a comfortable setting.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.