LEARNING AS THEY GROW

Gardening can give so much to children. Wellbeing expert Annabelle Padwick offers advice to those thinking of setting up a school garden or allotment

- Annabelle Padwick

I’m regularly asked for advice by teachers and children’s club co-ordinators on how to set up a successful school gardening programme – one that can work all year round, be suitable and manageable within the limited time they have and be affordable. I usually find that one teacher really champions the idea but getting it going and gaining the support of other staff can sometimes be tricky.

So I thought it might be good to share some of the ideas I provide in my consultancy work with you here, as well as explaining why having a garden or allotment area in every school is so important!

WHY IS HAVING A GARDEN OR ALLOTMENT AREA SO IMPORTANT?

Teachers, feel free to use this in your pitches for support and funding – I know how tricky it can be.

Now, more than ever, children are glued to devices and spend more hours inside than they have ever done, getting instant reactions and entertainment without having to move or worry about interacting with others. They can disappear into a super-exciting world full of adrenaline at the click of a button. This can be good for children who are really struggling - perhaps with bullying, for example – but it doesn't fix the problem. Although to some it can make the real world seem scary or boring, if we use our imaginations we can find excitement in trees, plants, wildlife and so much of the great outdoors.

I truly believe we think bigger when we are outside too. I know I do! Each interaction I have and each view I see generates new ideas and thoughts in my brain. Being outside in an open space helps our bodies and minds feel less restrained too, in turn boosting our endorphins and creative thinking.