Gardening at Childcare
Outdoor activities that little learners really dig.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Gardening isn’t just for grown-ups!
All ages can get pleasure from plants, and in the early learning environment, our educators are helping to raise a new generation of green thumbs.
Many services have their own indoor plants, herb tubs, vegetable patch, worm farm and compost bin, and at Montessori Manor, gardening activities are a key part of the curriculum.
This Adelaide service follows the Montessori method of early education, which is all about hands-on learning, and their sprawling, 10-year-old garden is a place where children thrive as much as their plants do!
There’s room to explore, observe and dig deep into individual interests, and whether children are pushing spades or pulling carrots, Montessori Manor sows the seeds for joyful early learning.
The children are involved in all aspects of garden care.
They plant seeds and seedlings, do weeding and watering, and tend to the worm farm and bokashi composting bins.
Centre Director, Debbie Appleby says, “Watering is a favourite activity and we fill a big tub each day, so the children can come and fill a watering can at any time they choose. They learn to assess the soil to decide if the plants need more water, and quickly learn not to give them too much watery love!”
Along the way, children get lots of opportunities to eat, and share, the produce they grow.
They’re free to pick and eat their produce whenever they want, and Debbie says, “Often children rush to the vegetable beds as soon as they arrive at our centre, picking handfuls of kale and tomatoes.”
“We run strong Nutritional programs to help children understand the importance of a balanced diet, and it’s always lovely to look around the garden and see children chomping on delicious fresh vegetables.”
“Parents often remark that their children won’t eat these vegetables at home, and we do find that getting under-fives involved in the growing and care of produce, heightens their interest in tasting it. This new interest in trying different foods then translates to the foods they’re interested in eating – and growing – at home.”
It’s not just vegetables the children are interested in, though.
At Montessori Manor, children grow their own herbs and take them home to their families, and the herb garden is a big hit during the childcare day.
Debbie says the children enjoy smelling and tasting all the different herbs, from rosemary and basil to parsley and chives, and, “They love opening their water bottles and adding herbs to make a special drink.”
The gardening activities also help to raise eco-awareness.
At Montessori Manor, there’s an everyday focus on sustainability and environmental custodianship.
Debbie says, “So much of what we do when in our garden is helping to create sustainable understandings and habits – a knowledge of the small things we can do that can make a difference.”
The centre’s worm farm and bokashi buckets teach the children about waste reduction and how good soil is made, and the educators explain how growing your own produce means less packaging, no food miles and no chemicals.
Children also learn to propagate, rather than purchase.
Lately, they’ve been propagating succulents, and Debbie says, “They’ve been amazed at how many new plants have grown from one plant! We’ve been able to give many of them to a local resident who’s starting a succulent garden, and we look forward to seeing that grow.”
The children also learn how climate impacts growth.
A recent experiment involved groups observing seeds that were denied water or light, to show them how important the ‘right’ level of rain and sunshine is for different plants.
There are also learning experiences that connect flora with fauna.
Debbie says Montessori Manor has, “Many bird-attracting plants, and have picture cards in the garden to help us identify all the birds that visit us.”
“We have a few magpies that visit us every day, and have watched many chicks grow up. They will now come quite close to us. When the children have picnics on the grass, the magpies are always nearby warbling – they know there will be lots of scraps on the ground for them to retrieve!”
The centre is also making plans for a butterfly garden.
Debbie says, “We are researching the plants we need to establish, and then hope to be able to identify the butterflies and caterpillars in our garden.”
All in all, children flourish amongst the foliage.
They feel calm and happy in Montessori Manor's gardens, and littlies are encouraged to explore all the interesting nooks and crannies in the outdoor area, building their strength and skills as they go.
Debbie says the children, “Develop their fine motor skills as they plant and care for the seedlings. They develop arm strength as they water plants, dig soil and move rocks. And they develop core strength as they steer heavy wheelbarrows around the garden.”
After 10 years at their current site, and 20 more years growing produce, Debbie is proud of the gardens they’ve created.
She says, “We’re grateful for the space, and It’s an absolute pleasure to see the children learn, grow and thrive in our natural world.”
Montessori Manor is an inspiring place for us, too.
It’s great to see all the different ways that gardening can be incorporated into the childcare day, and we hope you can mix a little gardening goodness into your family life as well.
