It is so important for children to have opportunities to interact with the natural world, and the connection to nature is important for their development. Children who develop a connection, regard and concern for the natural world come to be good stewards of the land and its resources. Being responsible for tending a
garden also fosters their sense of “nurturing” and helps them learn to care for other living things.  Here are some great resources to help you foster that relationship:

Kids Garden Activities – Try these fun and engaging gardening ideas that kids will love

Garden Basics – Grow your green thumb with these helpful tips

Growing Guides – In-depth advice from site selection to harvesting, including all the steps in between, plus fun facts about each plant

EDUCATOR RESOURCES:

Starting a School Garden – School gardens are an effective way to promote life-long healthy eating habits and to connect students to the natural world.  Gardening provides educators with opportunities to enhance student education through practical, reality-based learning

• Gathering Support
• Forming a Garden Committee
• Determining Garden Program Goals
• Designing the Garden
• Identifying Needs and Obtaining Resources
• Finding Funding
• Valuing Volunteers
• Designing a Garden Program for All
• Connecting the Garden to the Classroom
• Digging in: Planting and Growing Basics
• Enjoying the Harvest
• Sustaining Your Program

Creating and Sustaining a Garden Program – Play, learn, and grow through the garden with educational resources

Seeds of Success Toolkit – Design, grow, and maintain an edible school garden as a dynamic teaching space

Lesson Plans – Hands-on learning experiences and inquiry-based exploration for different ages

Preschool STEM Gardening Lessons – YMCA comprehensive preschool teaching curriculum

Digging Deeper – Dive deeper into your students’ gardening interests with these not-so-basic articles

Curriculum Links – “Garden tested” by educators and students

Digging Into Soil – Use your school garden program to teach high school students about soil

School Farmers’ Markets – Helping Kids and Communities Grow

Right to Food – Kids – FoodShare’s Right to Food kids workshop outline

Right to Food – Youth – FoodShare’s Right to Food youth workshop outline

Community Asset Mapping – FoodShare’s Right to Food asset mapping outline

FoodShare Eductor Resources

Food for the Sol – Food, Justice, and Community Building Curriculum for Youth