The Mougins School Garden: Learning and Thriving in Nature
Julie Dufaye
Now that it's Autumn, we have just picked a number of marrows which we are going to be selling at a stall at the front of the school on Thursday 14th November from 15.30 - 16.00. Please bring along 1 euro if you would like to purchase one to make a warm autumnal soup. The money collected will go back into the community garden fund, so that the pupils can decide what seeds to buy next!
The Benefits of Gardening for Children
Gardening is more than just a fun outdoor activity; it offers a wide variety of benefits for children that have a positive impact on their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
A Healthy Exercise
Gardening is an excellent form of exercise. It promotes physical activity as children dig, plant, weed, and water their gardens. These activities enhance their motor skills, strength, and
coordination while encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Understanding Food Origins
By growing their own fruits and vegetables, children gain a better understanding of where food comes from. This hands-on experience can lead to healthier eating habits, as they are more likely to try and enjoy the produce they’ve nurtured themselves.
Connection to Nature
Gardening fosters a connection to nature, teaching children about ecosystems, biodiversity, and the importance of caring for the environment. They learn about sustainability and the impact of their actions on the planet, promoting a sense of responsibility.
Therapeutic Benefits
Engaging with plants and nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Gardening can serve as therapeutic, helping children develop patience and resilience as they learn to care for living things and enjoy the rewards of their efforts.
Encouraging Critical Thinking
Gardening encourages critical thinking and problem-solving as children plan their gardens, make decisions about plant care, and observe the growth process. It enhances their ability to follow instructions.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Gardening can be a collaborative activity, allowing children to work together, share responsibilities, and develop teamwork skills. In our community garden at school, they learn to communicate and cooperate with others.
Our school community garden was set up with funding from the PTA and Christian, head gardener put everything in place. The community garden, which is part of the THRIVE programme, started after Easter and the children have been taking advantage of the produce that we have planted, watered, and picked. This included tomatoes, strawberries, onions, aubergines, lettuce and a wide variety of herbs.