Creating a Learning Garden Teaching organic growing skills to Early Years students

Introduction

What can gardening in school achieve?Gardening can enrich a curriculumTeach children life skillsContribute to students emotional and physical

healthDemonstrate a pivotal role in developing

active citizens of the future

How do gardens help our children grow

stronger?As well as helping children lead happier, healthier lives, research shows gardening helps them acquire essential skills they need to fulfill their potential in a rapidly- changing world and make a positive contribution to society as a whole.

-Royal Horticulture Society

Gardening in schools encourage children to:

Become stronger, more active learners capable of thinking independently and adopting their skills and knowledge to new challenges at school and in life.

Gain a more resilient, confident, and responsible approach to life so they can achieve their goals and be positive members of a community.

Learn vital job skills such as presentation skills, communication, and team work as well as fuel their entrepreneurial spirit.

Embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle as an important tool for success at school and beyond.

Develop the ability to work and communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds.

How do I get my students interested in

gardening?Keep it simpleGive children their own space Involve older children in the planning and design of

the gardenUse lightweight, easy-to –use tools and equipmentEncourage children to dig in the dirtPlant to attract butterflies, humming birds, ladybugsMake a scarecrowView community gardens, farms, or botanic gardens

Safety in the gardenTo make a garden safe for children:

Select the correct-sized toolsKeep sprays and fertilizers out of reachDo not use chemicals. Garden organically!Provide safe storage for equipment and toolsSecure fences and gatesProvide shadeWatch for animals and scat

What should we plant?Take into consideration climate, time of year, and

what you want the outcome to be. Here are some veggies that grow in the Las Vegas climate well. Beans *Kale Beets *Lettuce Broccoli *Onion Cabbage *Peas Carrots *Peppers Cauliflower *Potatoes Cucumber *Spinach Eggplant *Tomato

Activities for children in the garden

Watering Digging Picking flowers Planting vegetables, fruits, and flowers in the correct

season Harvesting fruits and veggies Preparing healthy food from harvested plants Weeding Gathering seeds and dried flowers Preparing soil Deadheading flowers

How do I extend the garden to the classroom?Using classroom skills in the garden or

bringing gardening skills back to the classroom is fun! MathMeasuring spaceCounting seedsSpacing seeds or plantsComparing sizes of seeds or plants

ArtDraw pictures or a series of pictures of fruit or

vegetables from seeds to full grown plant.Make row markers by drawing a picture of the

plant on card stock and laminating it. Language and ReadingRead books on gardeningLook at seed catalogs and let children choose

what to plant.As harvest time gets closer, look at recipes to

use with harvested items

Where can I get help?

Community or local gardening groupsPlant store like Star Nursery, Cactus Joe’s,

and Plant WorldCo-op farming groupsAsk at Farmers Markets

Things to remember:

Gardening is a fun, healthy activity for children.

Children develop new skills and learn about science and nature by growing their own food.

There is a variety of activities children can be involved in, such as planting, mulching, weeding, and cooking.

Make sure your garden is a safe place with suitable equipment, tools, fences, gates, and paths for children to use.

Acknowledgements

Royal Horticultural Society- case study Gardening in schoolsBetter Health Channel- Fact sheet Gardening for ChildrenThe Old Farmer’s Almanac- Planting calendar for Las Vegas areaSean Roszell’s brain