Beyond the walls of the classroom, there are many ways to teach students important life skills and keep them engaged. Planting a school garden is something that takes students outside to learn important lessons on how to manage and care for plants, work together, and discover the self-satisfaction of having created a sustainable and useful garden. Plus, they contribute to making the school grounds a more pleasant place to be.
Responsibility
Tending a garden requires work and maintenance. Kids must develop routines of when they plant, water, and pull weeds. It is up to the kids to ensure the garden flourishes and pick any vegetables or fruits that may grow. The garden won’t be a success if the kids aren’t taking on all the tasks. It’s an important lesson in responsibility.
Teamwork
Kids have to work together to make sure the garden is a success. They have to figure out who is doing what task and when. It can’t be just a few kids doing all the work for everyone to learn and participate in the experience. Whether it’s planting new seeds or maintenance, it’s up to the kids to figure out a plan that ensures the continued growth of the plants. Teamwork is a key skill that repeats itself throughout a child’s early experiences, so why not refine those skills and grow some plants too.
Pride
The greatest benefit of a school garden is the sense of accomplishment the students gain from making it work. A school garden is something that benefits everyone at the school, from the fruits and vegetables it produces to the beautiful flowers it provides. Each kid can look at it and know they had a hand in making a contribution to the overall school community. This kind of pride will continue to drive kids to feel good and take ownership of even more projects as they grow.