Gardening is great!
This week I am inspired by the sunshine that is beginning to make an appearance. That said, as I write this I am aware that the forecast for when you may be reading this is rather less clement! However, having listened to an amazing lecture last week on the mental and physical wellbeing benefits of being outdoors in the ‘greenery’, having benefitted from the lovely weekend weather, and having had a splendid few months planning our primary nature curriculum with Mrs Churton, I am turning my attention to the great outdoors.
The year before last I was lucky enough to visit the Chelsea Flower Show. It was the first time I had attended the show and it was a splendid event. I was there to support a friend who had been successful in securing the design of the show garden sponsored by the RSPCA. Obviously, it was a huge honour to see his garden, but it was also very eye-opening to realise the months and months of designing, planning and sheer hard graft that go into the show gardens. All of them are removed in full by the end of the fourth day after the show – a feat in itself. Luckily the RSPCA garden is now reassembled at an RSPCA base in Cheshire.
Now, not only are animals and the great outdoors close to our heart here at LCS, but the benefits of getting our children involved in gardening cannot be underestimated. So, in the spirit of Forest School (i.e. whatever the weather), I recommend you get your children into the garden to give you a hand. Our youngest to our oldest pupils can benefit from a bit of horticultural involvement:
- Gardening is the perfect way to teach children about nature and the environment. Children get hands on, practical experience in identifying different types of plants and will become familiar with a range of animals, bugs and creepy crawlies.
- Through gardening, children develop an understanding of plant life cycles and food chains. They also observe the effect that seasons have on the garden, plants and wildlife.
- There are numerous sensory benefits in gardening. Children explore using their sight, hearing, smell, touch and even taste (where appropriate!) and this has fantastic mental and physical health benefits.
- Children will need to remember to plant seeds at the right time, show commitment to water plants daily, trim and prune plants in a timely manner, and so on. This encourages a sense of responsibility and organisation, which are valuable life skills.
- Gardening is a lifelong hobby! It is a consistent past time that has been enjoyed for generations. It is a hobby that children will not outgrow, as it is suitable for adults and children alike. Gardening for beginners is accessible and highly adaptable, meaning it is never too late for people to start.
- Gardens provides children with imaginative freedom and allow them to express themselves creatively through the plants they grow and the way their garden looks.
- Time in nature is mindful and good for our mental health.
- If we learn a love and appreciation of the natural world we are more likely to preserve it. Our gardens and our planet need green fingers of the future!
Time to get the gardening gloves on!
Inservi Deo et laetare!
