Budding Gardener (Age 6-12)
Inclusive safe heaven for your kids to grow
Children, especially those with special needs, are invited to explore the magic of gardening. Through hands-on activities, they’ll develop essential life skills, connect with nature, and cultivate a sense of wonder. From planting seeds to harvesting fresh produce, our young gardeners thrive in an inclusive environment.
The objective of the workshop:
To empower children to develop essential life skills through hands-on gardening experiences. Foster curiosity, teamwork, and a love for nature.
Benefits:
- Skill Development: Children gain practical gardening skills.
- Inclusivity: Special needs children participate in an inclusive environment.
- Nature Connection: Appreciation for the natural world.
The Modules
Seedlings Begin
Sprout Adventures
Sprout Adventures
Introduction to gardening basics, planting seeds, and understanding soil.
Duration: 4 weeks
Sprout Adventures
Sprout Adventures
Sprout Adventures
Watering, weeding, and caring for young plants.
Duration: 4 weeks
Harvest Magic
Sprout Adventures
Harvest Magic
Harvesting fresh produce, tasting veggies, and learning about seasonal cycles
Duration: 2 weeks
How Gardening Help our children?
Physical Development
- Fine Motor Skills: Digging, planting, and handling tools improve fine motor skills. Children learn to manipulate objects with precision.
- Gross Motor Skills: Activities like watering, weeding, and moving soil enhance gross motor coordination.
Sensory Stimulation
- Touch: Soil texture, plant leaves, and flowers provide tactile experiences.
- Smell: Fragrant herbs and flowers engage the sense of smell.
- Visual: Observing growth and colours stimulates visual perception.
Emotional Well-Being
- Stress Reduction: Gardening in natural surroundings reduces stress and anxiety.
- Sense of Accomplishment: Watching plants grow fosters self-esteem and pride.
- Connection with Nature: Being outdoors promotes a sense of wonder and calmness.
Cognitive Benefits
- Science Learning: Children explore biology, ecology, and botany firsthand.
- Problem-Solving: Planning layouts, choosing plants, and troubleshooting issues develop critical thinking.
- Math Concepts: Measuring soil, spacing seeds, and calculating growth rates involve math.
Academic Integration
- Language Arts: Descriptive writing about plants, creating garden journals.
- Mathematics: Graphing plant growth, measuring heights, calculating harvest yields.
- Environmental Studies: Understanding ecosystems, sustainability, and food sources.
Social Interaction
- Teamwork: Collaborating in garden tasks teaches cooperation and communication.
- Community Bonding: Shared gardening experiences connect children with peers and adults
A study published in the Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture found that gardening positively impacted social skills, attention, and self-regulation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
