Schoolyard Gardens

"Interestingly enough, both human and chimpanzee children are placed in an environment which is not natural but which has been structured for them. However, the environment created for the chimpanzee in captivity was planned with more science, art and attention to their needs and potential." Aaron and Winawer: Child's Play: A Creative Approach                                      

I spent G1-6 in a small village school. I kid you not, we had GARDENING lessons on a Friday afternoon. It was probably a sanity saver for our teacher, on her own day in day out, teaching all grades. Whatever the reason, we got to dig, plant, water and weed and I doubt there was a child who wasn’t blissfully happy for the entire afternoon. There was also a school meadow, about an acre in size, where we played soccer, cricket, rounders (baseball), made daisy chains, picked buttercups, chased butterflies and  lay under the trees at the far end listening to the birds.

My children never got to have this experience. Fortunately a movement is spreading to once again have nature as part of school life in a meaningful way. Schoolyard Garden Projects go by many names but the intent is to create an opportunity for every child to play, learn and grow in nature. Regardless of academic skills all children can blossom in a garden.

School gardens can help children:
enjoy gardening
have positive attitudes to agriculture

appreciate healthy foods and change their own eating habits

respect and take an interest in their school environment

They bring together school, children, families and community in a common endeavour.

Some areas of the school curriculum are reinforced-although isn’t being out in the fresh air enough?

Gardens and green spaces provide safe comfortable places to play and socialize.

Love the idea but think it is too much to take on?
Start small with containers on the windowsill, planters and window boxes. 
If you are lucky enough to have a community garden in your neighbourhood see if you can get a plot for your school.
Know someone with a nice garden? Ask if you can bring a class for a visit.
If you have a volunteer reading program expand it into a volunteer gardeners’ program.

There are tons of places to find help and now is the time to start.

www.schoolgardenwizard.org  Fabulous resource! Step by step guide.

www.kidsgardening.org Some neat classroom projects.

www.evergreen.ca/en/resources/schools Excellent lesson plans

www.greenhearted.org/school-garden Another step by step guide

www.edibleschoolyard.org/network Find projects near you (U.S.A.).

www.calgaryzoo.org/schoolyard.naturalization Three year plan if you need to dot every "i"  etc.

Imagine a Peter Rabbit garden for the little ones, a butterfly garden, a sensory garden, a vegetable garden- do it for the kids, for the planet, for the future and have FUN.